F.O.R.C.E. Club

TONIGHT! Take Back the Night!

2009-04-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

With a special closing performance by ANGIE EVANS.

TOMORROW @NOON @ CSULB, rally against Anti-choice organization.

2009-04-27T20:46:00.000-07:00

Abortion is not Genocide! Protect a Woman's right to choose

So, some anti-choice demonstrators will be on our campus tomorrow. So will we.

Abortion is Not Genocide
Protect a Woman's Right to Choose!!!

Calling all genders to
STAND UP.

Protect women's rights everywhere

Rally on the Speaker's Platform
(In front of CSULB Bookstore)
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Noon

We will have signs ready, but you're more than welcome to express your own creativity and make your own. :)

The group was invited by an on-campus organization, and is responsible for highly slanderous, highly graphic images.

Warning, GRAPHIC: http://abortionno.org/

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter - 4/6/09

2009-04-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 12:30-1:30pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC), LA3-105

UPCOMING EVENTS:

- Women and War presented by WSSA
Monday, April 13, 2009 in the Beach Auditorium
1pm to 4:30pm

Performances and lectures on the impact and consequences of war as they relate to women. Performances by June Gao Sith and Linda Straley; lectures by Moriah Meeks, Lucia Munoz, Sonali Kolhatkar, and Dr. Elizabeth Philipose. Contact wssacsulb@gmail.com

- Framing Your Women’s Studies Degree
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 in the University Student Union
3pm

Presented by the Women’s Studies Department: A speaker’s panel, networking and resume workshop. Find out more at: http://friendsofwomensstudies.blogspot.com

- V-DAY Long Beach Vagina Monologues hosted by Charlene Chandler and WSSA
Friday, April 18, 2009 in the Beach Auditorium
2pm and 7pm

Those interested in participating in the Vagina Monologues should attend the rehearsal on March 11, 2009, at the Rehearsal Hall in Wardlow Park. Rehearsals are every Wednesday at this same time and location. For more information, contact
wssacsulb@gmail.com.

- Denim Day at CSULB
Wednesday, April 22 at CSULB, all day.

In 1998, an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore jeans, reasoning she must have helped her attacker remove them. People all over the world were outraged. Wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. The campaign’s purpose is to raise awareness and educate the public about rape
and sexual assault.

- 11th Annual Speak Out hosted by SACA
Friday, March 24, 2009 at the Soroptomist House

An evening of healing and empowerment for sexual assault survivors, presented by SACA, Project Safe, and the Women’s Resource Center. The night will consist of a Speak Out, Clothesline Project display, and free self defense workshop.

- Take Back the Night
Thursday, April 30, 2009, Maxson Plaza and Soroptomist House, CSULB
7pm-10pm

F.O.R.C.E. presents Take Back the Night, an event in global solidarity to protest and raise awareness about sexual violence. The night will consist of speakers, a march, music, candlelight vigil, and a speakout facilitated by the Sexual Assault Crisis Agency. It is an opportunity to raise the voices of those who have been silenced by victimization, and a chance for men and women to reclaim our dignity and sexuality through awareness and empowerment. Contact: force4change@yahoo.com .

NEWS (via feminist.org):

Afghan Women's Rights may be Severely Restricted by New Law
4/1/2009 - A new Shia family law signed by Afghan President Hamid Karzai sometime last month, but not yet published, would severely restrict women's rights in Afghanistan. Karzai, according to news sources, signed the bill to court the Hazara vote in the upcoming presidential election. The law has not yet been published, but according to The Guardian contains provisions that would restrict women from leaving their homes, working, going to school, or obtaining medical care without their husbands’ permission. The law also includes a provision that women cannot refuse their husbands sex and a provision that grants child custody only to men. Ustad Mohammad Akbari, leader of the Hazara party, told The Guardian that the law gives women the right to refuse sex with their husbands if they are ill or have a "reasonable excuse" and allows women the right to leave their homes without permission in an emergency.  Shinkai Karokhail, a woman MP who worked against the legislation, told The Independent UK that the law "is one of the worst bills passed by the parliament this century….It is totally against women's rights. This law makes women more vulnerable."  The Globe and Mail reported that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters that the law "is an area of absolute concern for the United States….My message is very clear. Women's rights are a central part of the foreign policy of the Obama administration."  Also yesterday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon addressed the International Conference on Afghanistan at The Hague. Among his remarks, the Secretary General said "we will continue to work to protect human rights, especially for women and girls. Women should be free to work, teach and live without oppression and fear. And children -- especially girls -- must be given the education that will help them build a better future for Afghanistan."

Iowa Supreme Court Rules Same Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional
4/3/2009 - The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously today that the Iowa Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional because it violates the equal protection clause of the state constitution. According to the New York Times, the same-sex marriage licenses could be issued in Iowa in about three weeks. Iowa is now the third state in the US to permit homosexual couples to marry. Prior to this ruling, same-sex marriage was legal only in Massachusetts and Connecticut.  The ruling states that "A new distinction based on sexual orientation would be equally suspect and difficult to square with the fundamental principles of equal protection embodied in our constitution. This record, our independent research, and the appropriate equal protection analysis do not suggest the existence of a justification for such a legislative classification that substantially furthers any governmental objective."  According to the Iowa Independent, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit on behalf of six same-sex couples and their children in Iowa in 2005. The lawsuit challenged the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. An Iowa District Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in 2007, leading dozens of couples to apply for marriage licenses and one couple to marry before the District Attorney filed an appeal to bring the case before the state Supreme Court. The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case in December 2008.

Vermont House Approves Same Sex Marriage Bill
4/3/2009 - The Vermont House voted 95 to 52 yesterday in favor of a bill that would allow same-sex marriage in the state. A version of the bill was overwhelmingly passed in a 26 to 4 vote by the state Senate in March. After a vote in the Senate today to reconcile changes made by the House, the bill will go to Republican Governor Jim Douglas, who has said he will veto the measure. Vermont currently allows civil unions, but the current bill would expand benefits offered to same-sex couples.  In a statement released last week, the Governor reinforced his position: "Vermont's civil union law has extended the same state rights, responsibilities and benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. I believe our civil union law serves Vermont well and I would support congressional action to extend those benefits at the federal level to states that recognize same-sex unions....I believe that marriage should remain between a man and woman."  The House vote followed nearly five hours of debate on the subject, according to Vermont Freedom to Marry. The final tally is only five votes short of the two-thirds vote needed to override a veto by the governor. Beth Robinson, Vermont Freedom to Marry's spokeswoman, told CNN that the House vote was "a testament to the power of telling our stories....We know we've got more work to do in the run-up to the override vote."  Vermont became the first state to give civil recognition to gay and lesbian couples with the passage of legislation that established civil unions in the state in 2000. At the time, this law granted same-sex partners the most comprehensive system of domestic partner benefits in the nation, qualifying them for the some 300 rights and benefits available to married couples in the state.

Report Released on Los Angeles Rape Kit Backlog
4/1/2009 - A Human Rights Watch report released yesterday found that there are at least 12,669 untested rape kits in Los Angeles County, the largest known backlog of its kind in the US. A September 2008 LA city controller's audit showed a backlog of approximately 7,000 kits.  The report (see PDF) is based on interviews with rape victims, rape treatment providers, police officers, public officials, and criminalists as well as data from the LA Police and Sheriff’s Departments and the 47 independent police departments in LA County. The report found that of the 12,669 kit backlog, 499 kits are past the statute of limitations in California rape law and at least 1,218 are from unsolved cases where the attacker was a stranger. It is estimated that thousands more kits have been destroyed in LA County untested. According to interviews with rape treatment providers, the report found that many victims assumed that DNA did not match in the database or that no evidence was found when they did not hear the results of their rape kit.  Sarah Tofte, the report's author, said in a press release "women who are raped have a right to expect police to do all they can to thoroughly investigate their case, but in LA they often feel betrayed to learn that their rape kits are never even tested….And in some cases, failure to test means that a rapist who could have been arrested will remain free."  A LA rape treatment provider told Human Rights Watch that "We go through the motions of collecting the kit, and then it doesn't get tested. Either we stop collecting rape kits, or we test every rape kit. It's now standard procedure to encourage every rape victim to report the crime and get a rape kit collected. If we think it's unconscionable to discourage a rape victim from reporting and getting a rape kit collected, then it’s unconscionable to have a rape kit backlog."

Virginia Governor Signs Legislation that Will Fund Fake Clinics
3/31/2009 - Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed legislation Monday that will enable the sale of a "Choose Life" license plate in the state. According to the Washington Post, $15 of the $25 fee for the license plates will go towards funding crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). CPCs pose as legitimate health centers and offer "free" pregnancy tests. Some CPCs coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and prevent women from receiving neutral and comprehensive medical advice. They are typically run by anti-abortion volunteers who are not licensed medical professionals.  In a press release, Governor Kaine defended his decision: "I sign this legislation today in keeping with the Commonwealth's longtime practice of approving specialty plates with all manner of political and social messages. Furthermore, if Planned Parenthood--an organization that is already a recipient of state budget funds--or another similar organization ever chooses to seek a specialty license plate in Virginia, I believe the Constitution would require the state to approve that plate to protect against any viewpoint discrimination."  NARAL Pro Choice America released a statement from National President Nancy Keenan and Virginia NARAL President Tarina Keene. Both leaders said "the revenue from the 'Choose Life' plates would go to many CPCs that use deceptive, intimidating, and emotionally manipulative tactics to block women from learning the facts about, or choosing, legal abortion…No pro-choice license plate would make that right."  Virginia NOW released a statement that they are “outraged by Governor Kaine's shameful decision to allow 'Choose Life' license plates to be sold by the state. His rationale in today's press release – basically, there are lots of message license plates out there, this is just one more – ignores women's health and safety. It also insults us by suggesting that the remedy is for pro-choice supporters to get their own license plate. Virginia NOW does not think that license plates are the place to debate this sensitive personal issue."
Ongoing art events…

Nine Lives: Visionary Artists from LA

March 8 to May 31st, Sundays only.

Hammer Museum

Exploring the idea of reinvention, Nine Lives: Visionary Artists from LA illuminates the creative undercurrent of a city that has long been synonymous with "the industry." Works such as Victoria Reynolds' sickly sensual raw-meat paintings, Lisa Anne Auerbach's subversive sweaters, and painter Llyn Foulkes' innovative explorations of dimension and illusion each occupy their own room, moving the viewer through an ethereal landscape of pop culture, alternate universes, and reconstructed identities. The exhibition and associated programs highlight the idiosyncratic essence of life in the Southland, coalescing the installations, videos, paintings, drawings, photographs, and textiles into a single narrative that extols the beguiling spirit of the City of Angels.

Art of Two Germanys/Cold War Cultures
January 25, 2009–April 19, 2009
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
For East and West Germany during the Cold War, the creation of art and its reception and theorization were closely linked to their respective political systems: the Western liberal democracy of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the Eastern communist dictatorship of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Reacting against the legacy of Nazism, both Germanys revived pre-World War II national artistic traditions. Yet they developed distinctive versions of modern and postmodern art—at times in accord with their political cultures, at other times in opposition to them. By tracing the political, cultural, and theoretical discourses during the Cold War in the East and West German art worlds, Art of Two Germanys reveals the complex and richly varied roles that conventional art, new media, new art forms, popular culture, and contemporary art exhibitions played in the establishment of their art in the postwar era.

Update: March 9, 2009

2009-03-09T19:18:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for today's F-Word! Next time we'll make it longer than just an hour. :)

+ + +
The definitive date for this year's Take Back the Night is Thursday, April 30th. We're still looking for speakers and donations of any kind, so if you or your boss would like to make a tax-deductible donation to a worthy cause, please let us know! We can always use donations of candles and refreshments (although any small monetary donation will also do!).

Additionally, if you think you would like to perform your powerful, feminist artistry for this year's TBTN, give us a heads up!

+ + +
As always, we are looking for submissions for this semester's 'zine. The theme is International Women, so if you have anything that can be Xeroxed that includes or talks about women on a global scale, or to a country outside of our own, or of experiences as global women or really anything in ANY form (poetry, recipes, collage, rants, comics), send them our way at theragzine@gmail.com . We would love to see them. :)

+ + +
As always, FORCE meetings are on Mondays, 12:30-1:30pm in the Women's Resource Center (LA3-105).

Keep loving, keep fighting,
F.O.R.C.E.

Feminism, the OTHER F-Word, March 9th

2009-02-24T07:19:00.000-08:00

Hello FORCErs!

So now that everyone's all nice and settled into their schedules, it's time for the first F-Word event of the semester! What is F-Word?

Basically, it's a space to ask and discuss feminism, how we feel about it, and for newbies to come into a safe space to ask any questions that they might have for our facilitator or speaker. Sometimes they follow a theme or topic. As this is the first one of the semester, we will try to touch base with the very basic fundamentals of feminism, and we encourage all nay-sayers and good sports to come and ask questions. After all, we are on a University campus, and if we're not supposed to encourage discussion, then what are we doing?

March 9th, 2009
12:30-1:30pm
Speaker's Platform/Lawns (Across from the 49er bookstore)

As it is lunchtime, you are all encouraged to tote your snacks or lunches around.

Feminist peace and love!
F.O.R.C.E.

Saudi Arabia Names First Woman Minister

2009-02-17T17:16:00.001-08:00

Saudi Arabia Names First Woman Minister

2/17/2009 - King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia named Norah Al-Fayez to be the new Deputy Minister for Women's Education and replaced a number of high-ranking government officials last week. Al-Fayez is the first woman to be named to a ministerial post in the country. Advocate Wajeha al-Huwaider told CNN that "I think it's going to be the first step toward the reform that he promised," but that she is skeptical that Al-Fayez will have real power, in part because the country's guardianship system continues to paralyze women.

Al-Fayez said that her appointment "is an honor not only for me but for all Saudi women. In the presence of a comprehensive operational team, I believe I'll be able to face challenges and create positive change," according to the Guardian

Women's rights in Saudi Arabia are currently limited on a number of fronts including marriage rights, freedom to travel, property ownership, education, and work. According to Human Rights Watch, although some human rights laws have been introduced in Saudi Arabia, little implementation or enforcement of these laws has occurred. At a meeting earlier this month, members of the United Nations Human Rights Council urged Saudi Arabia to actively work to end pervasive human rights violations in the country, particularly those against women and children.

Media Resources: The Guardian 2/16/09; Feminist Daily Newswire 2/9/09; Human Rights Watch 2/4/09; CNN 2/15/09, via Feminist.org

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter - 2/2/09-2/8/09

2009-02-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

- Week of Welcome
February 4 & 5 (Wednesday and Thursday)
11am-2pm at the Friendship Walk

F.O.R.C.E. will be tabling Wednesday and Thursday at the Student Organization Fair. The purpose is to reach out to CSULB students seeking involvement in campus groups, as well as to get the word out on what our group has done in the past and what we hope to do in the future. We will also sell our Sex Positive Zine and distribute other feminist literature.

We need volunteers to help table! If you are free either day any time during 11-2, email us at force4change@yahoo.com.

- SACA seeks volunteers
The Sexual Assault Crisis Agency’s mission is to provide caring support and advocacy for all survivors of sexual assault and their significant others, and to work toward the elimination of rape and sexual assault by raising community awareness and providing prevention education. SACA is still accepting volunteers for their Winter session of the 45-hour State Certified Rape Crisis Counselor Training. Training begins February 6. If interested, contact Hilda Jimenez Crisis Intervention Specialist at (562) 989-0309 x102 or hilda@sacastoprape.org. Flyer attached.

- S.T.A.R. Diversity Workshop
February 21, 2009 in the Multicultural Center
12pm-6pm / FREE

Dr. James Manseau Sauceda, the MCC’S professional Diversity Trainer, will be conducting the Students Talk About Race Workshop. Sign up before February 18th in the MCC or email Cindy at cschulth@csulb.edu.

- Fem Talk: Virgin/Whore Chicana Feminist Dichotomy
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
7pm-8:30pm at ROYCE 130 at UCLA

Join the Bruin Feminists for Equality for a discussion on the Virgin/Whore dichotomy that exists within Chicana Feminism. They will be looking at the images of the Virgen de Guadalupe and Malintzin (aka Malinche). Through the discussion we can also make bridges to other female figures in history, as well as possible solutions to these stereotypes within history and in society.

Spring 2009 meeting times (and other updates)!

2009-01-28T18:18:00.000-08:00

Hopefully everyone is ready and excited for the Spring Semester!

F.O.R.C.E. meetings for Spring 2009 will be held on Mondays from 12:30-1:30 in the Women's Resource Center LA3-105. The first meeting of the semester will be held on Monday, February 2, 2009. Please spread the word about our organization and meetings, and encourage friends to join!

We encourage all new, veteran, active, inactive, curious and established feminists to attend. :) We'll be discussing Week of Welcome and outreach, but most importantly, we'll gp around the room to make sure we all know each other.

Also, as some of you may know, we are currently down to Justine as chair of F.O.R.C.E.. With all the great things that our organization hopes and is expected to accomplish this semester, we will not be able to do so without at least one other co-chair. If you are passionate about F.O.R.C.E.'s mission and are willing to commit time and energy, please consider yourself for a co-chair position. It is an incredibly valuable opportunity and experience - personally, academically, and professionally. If you are interested, please, let us know!

Feminist peace and love!
F.O.R.C.E.

Well Educated and Undocumented

2008-12-09T20:53:00.001-08:00

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/students-undocumented-california-2249138-state-maria

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Well-educated and undocumented

Thousands of undocumented college graduates face major hurdles while looking for employment. Most were brought here by their parents.

By JESSICA TERRELL

The Orange County Register

Comments 184 | Recommend 20

Carried into the United States in her mother's arms, Maria became a criminal when she was just over 2-weeks-old.

Of course, she did not know that at the time. Maria found out that she was an illegal immigrant when she began applying to colleges at 17, and told herself that if she was unable to gain U.S. citizenship by the time she was 30, she would leave the country forever.

Now 22-years-old and a graduate student at Cal State Fullerton, Maria, who is still undocumented, said that she tries not to think about her lack of citizenship and the obstacles it could create for her future.

Maria is one of thousands of students in Orange County who have been able to attend college through AB 540, a California law that allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition, rather than the higher fee charged to non-California residents.

The Register is withholding the full names of the undocumented students at their request and under newspaper policy that recognizes the potential for retaliation against them.

Undocumented students are ineligible for state or federal financial aid, but do get help under a policy that allows them to pay the same fees as California residents. For example, non-California residents pay an additional $20,608 a year at the University of California; up to $10,170 at the California State University: and up to $170 per unit at community colleges.

Since AB 540 was enacted in 2001, a growing number of undocumented students in California have been able to pursue college degrees. There are no statewide numbers on how many undocumented students receive help through the program or how much they receive.

While the bill has opened doors to some undocumented students, it has also created a big debate about the legality and merit of subsidizing education for illegal immigrants. And for students like Maria, who would not otherwise have been able to afford higher education, AB 540 has created a huge unanswered question: What happens after graduation?

Every year an estimated 50,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools. About five percent of those students continue on to college, according to Roberto Gonzales, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Washington, who conducted several studies about undocumented students in Southern California.

For some U.S. citizens, that is five percent too many.

"(California Lt. Gov.) John Garamendi came out last week and said California education is on a starvation diet," said Ira Mehlman, communications director for FAIR, the Federation for American Immigration Reform.

"The idea that California is starving its once proud education program and at the same time turning over these very valuable seats to people who are in the country illegally flies in the face of logic," Mehlman said.

The debate is heading toward the state Supreme Court

One of the attorneys leading the fight against AB 540 is Kris Kobach, chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. Kobach represents a group of students who attended California universities and paid the much higher out-of-state tuition rate.

The students' attorneys argue that, among other things, AB 540 conflicts with federal immigration laws limiting the ability of states to provide certain benefits to undocumented immigrants, said Nicholas Espiritu, staff attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund.

In 2006, the case was dismissed by the Yolo County Superior Court and has wound through various appellate panels. Both sides are now petitioning the state Supreme Court to weigh in. In the meantime, the law stands in effect.

Adding to the complexity of AB 540 is that the law also benefits U.S. citizens who attended high school in California for more than three years and moved out of state after graduation. They too can qualify for in-state tuition through AB 540. In fact, advocates stress that the majority of people taking advantage of the law are U.S. citizens.

According to a 2008 annual report, all but 455 of the 1,639 students who received in-state tuition in the UC system through AB 540 were citizens. Currently, the CSU system does not track AB 540 students, and paperwork varies among community colleges. Fullerton College had 571 students enrolled through AB 540 this fall, but was unable to provide the Register the potential percentage of those students who are undocumented.

Regardless of how people feel about illegal immigration, most of these students are here to stay, argued Josh Bernstein, director of federal policy at the National Immigration Law Center, a pro-immigration think tank.

"The question is would we rather have them in an uneducated state or allow them to be educated and contribute to society?" Bernstein said.

Unlike Maria, Daniel, a 25-year-old senior computer science major at UCI, was originally a legal immigrant. He was 13 when his parents emigrated from Korea to the United States on a business visa. The visa expired and when Daniel turned 21, he became an undocumented student.

"I left Korea when I was in middle school. If I went back now I would be a 13-year-old again," Daniel said, pointing out that his Korean vocabulary and cultural understanding are stuck at an adolescent level.

Daniel said that many of his undocumented Korean friends have gotten married after graduation, hoping to gain citizenship through their spouse. A growing number are returning to Korea to teach English.

"They teach English and earn a lot of money, actually," Daniel said. "Four times as much as a Korean man who graduated from a Korean college."

A growing number of undocumented students who feel stuck in limbo find the answer to the big "what next" question in graduate school, hoping that immigration reform will be passed by the time they earn a master's degree.

"College at least offers some safety for students. I wouldn't call it sanctuary, but at least it's the one legal option they have. Those who aren't (in school) face a day-to-day life of looking over their shoulders," Gonzales said.

Being a full time college student provides no protection from deportation, said Virginia Kice, Spokeswoman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Are we specifically targeting individuals who are in this country illegally and going to school?" Kice said. "I would say any individual in the country illegally is subject to arrest and deportation. However, like any law enforcement agency, we have a finite number of resources so we have to prioritize what cases we pursue."

Maria doesn't spend much time looking over her shoulder. A petite woman whose language is peppered with California slang like "chillax," Maria believes, in an admittedly naive way, that she would not be deported because she is so obviously a "Cali girl."

"I want to break down stereotypes," Maria said. "We are here, we are getting an education and we want to make the world better too."

Facing graduation, Claudia, a 28-year-old student at Cal State Long Beach, is having a hard time figuring how to use her double major in psychology and sociology.

"There is really nothing happening with immigration reform," Claudia said. "I am trying to look for other options."

Although Claudia still has family in Mexico and has considered moving back there, right now she is considering graduate school in Spain.

"Here in the States, after college you can go for your master's, but what after that? If I move somewhere else, maybe I can find other options," she said.

Claudia considers herself to be American, even though she wasn't born here. Moving to Spain would not only mean leaving her family behind, it would mean leaving her adopted country behind too, with no guarantee of ever returning.

It is a choice that not many undocumented students make.

"We are waiting for things to change so we can use our degrees," said Matias, a recent graduate of University California Los Angeles.

Many undocumented students have attached their hopes to the federal Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, proposed legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for undocumented high school graduates who arrived in the U.S. before the age of 16.

Some – who've built an education on one bill – may not be willing to stake their future on another bill.

"I am not turning any younger. I want things. I want a job. I want a house. All I have right now is my clothes and my car," Claudia said. "I hope the Dream Act passes, but I don't want to depend on it all my life."

Contact the writer: Contact the writer at jterrell@ocregister.com or 714-796-7722

Last meeting of the semester! Bring snacks!

2008-12-07T15:29:00.001-08:00

Hello FORCErs!

This week (tomorrow) we will be having our last meeting of the semester. We'll be getting together just to hang out and make plans for the next semester and/or winter break.

Hope to see you all there!

For equality,
F.O.R.C.E.

Newsletter 12/01/08

2008-12-01T13:00:00.001-08:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter December 1, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

Ongoing Events…

“The Art of War: American Posters from WWI and WWII” Art Exhibit
Sep 5 – Jan 26, 2009
Mondays (noon–6pm), Wednesdays–Thursdays (noon–6pm), Fridays (noon–9pm), Saturdays–Sundays (noon–6pm)
Norton Simon Museum (411 W Colorado Blvd), 626.449.6840
When searching for a means of drumming up support for World War I, officials in Washington didn't have to look much further than two-dimensional art. Upon being asked to lend a hand to the war effort, Society of Illustrators President Charles Dana Gibson and his fellow artists began pumping out graphic masterpieces dripping with propaganda. The Art of War: American Posters from World War I and World War II is a timely exhibit culled from the Norton Simon's own collection. Works include Norman Rockwell's picture-perfect portrayal of the American family gathering and James Montgomery Flagg's iconic I Want You for the U.S. Army, which brought us the enduring image of the white-bearded Uncle Sam.

“War as a Way of Life” Art Exhibit
Sep 29 – Dec 19 Mondays–Fridays (11am–5:30pm)
18th Street Arts Center (1639 18th St), 310.453.3711
18th Street wraps up its yearlong, four-part examination of sociopolitical issues with War as a Way of Life. The exhibit includes the work of 16 artists who demonstrate how war, in all its forms — overseas, at home, in our minds — has become an integral part of the way we live. The unveiling of the show coincides with Art Night, a quarterly extravaganza featuring live music, dancing, and, of course, striking visual art. Intriguingly, the gallery doubles as a polling location on November 4. With images of protest and devastation on display, expect a controversial meeting of politics and art.

In December…

Wednesday, December 3
Die In
To go along with our international women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
Facebook event page: here.

December 4-6
Black Consciousness Conference
December 4: Talent Showcase, 6pm
December 5: Lecture Series I featuring Michaela Angela Davis, 12-9pm
December 6: Lecture Series II featuring Merira Kwesi, 12-9pm
Flier: here.

Saturday, December 6
Community Meeting Against Discrimination and Police Violence
3:30-6pm
Flier: here.

December 21
Eid-ul-Adha EID Carnival (Muslim Student Association CSULB)
10am-5pm
Flier: here and here.

Die-In this Wednesday!

2008-12-01T11:57:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

Hope you're all having a great weekend. As you know, F.O.R.C.E. will be putting on a Die-In this Wednesday, Dec. 3 from 11-2 on the grass near the Friendship Walk, across from the University Bookstore. The purpose of the Die-In is to raise awareness about the Global Gag Rule by dressing in black, laying down and "playing dead" in order to represent the hundreds of thousands of women that have died as a result of this policy. We will also be distributing factsheets about the Global Gag Rule, as well as ways to help.

We want to make sure this event gets a lot of attention. Tell all your friends about it, mention it to your classmates, and don't forget to WEAR BLACK ON WEDNESDAY!

We will need a couple people to help set up and take down the event; we will have more specific information at the F.O.R.C.E. meeting on Monday at 1pm. What I also need, though, is one or two people willing to e-mail CSULB professors about the event (we should have done this earlier, but better late than never), asking them to mention this event to their classes if they can, and perhaps suggest extra credit. Departments of which this topic is most relevant are probably the Political Science and Women's Studies Departments, but feel free to contact more. We need someone to just go to the department websites, copy and paste the e-mail addresses of the professors, and send out a mass e-mail.

You can take information from forceclub.blogspot.com, the Die-In event
page on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=41223147753&ref=mf, or go to http://www.globalgagrule.org/ for more information.

Let me know if you have time to do this, or if you have any other questions about this event.

Thanks!!!

-Justine / F.O.R.C.E.
(760) 670-5483
justineeemarie@gmail.com

The Pink Sari Gang

2008-11-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

India's 'pink' vigilante women

By Soutik Biswas
BBC News, Banda

The 'pink' gang has staged protests against corrupt officials

They wear pink saris and go after corrupt officials and boorish men with sticks and axes.

The several hundred vigilante women of India's northern Uttar Pradesh state's Banda area proudly call themselves the "gulabi gang" (pink gang), striking fear in the hearts of wrongdoers and earning the grudging respect of officials.

The pink women of Banda shun political parties and NGOs because, in the words of their feisty leader, Sampat Pal Devi, "they are always looking for kickbacks when they offer to fund us".

Two years after they gave themselves a name and an attire, the women in pink have thrashed men who have abandoned or beaten their wives and unearthed corruption in the distribution of grain to the poor.

They have also stormed a police station and attacked a policeman after they took in an untouchable man and refused to register a case.

Poorest

"Nobody comes to our help in these parts. The officials and the police are corrupt and anti-poor. So sometimes we have to take the law in our hands. At other times, we prefer to shame the wrongdoers," says Sampat Pal Devi, between teaching a "gang" member on how to use a lathi (traditional Indian stick) in self defence.

We are a gang for justice

Sampat Pal Devi

Banda is at the heart of the blighted region that is Bundelkhand, one of the poorest parts of one of India's most populous states.

It is among the poorest 200 districts in India which were first targeted for the federal government's massive jobs-for-work programme. Over 20% of its 1.6 million people living in 600 villages are lower castes or untouchables. Drought has parched its already arid, single-crop lands.

Banda is one of the poorest districts in Uttar Pradesh

To make matters worse, women bear the brunt of poverty and discrimination in Banda's highly caste-ridden, feudalistic and male dominated society. Dowry demands and domestic and sexual violence are common.

Locals say it is not surprising that a women's vigilante group has sprung up in this landscape of poverty, discrimination and chauvinism.

Sampat Pal Devi is a wiry woman, wife of an ice cream vendor, mother of five children, and a former government health worker who set up and leads the "pink gang".

"Mind you," she says, "we are not a gang in the usual sense of the term. We are a gang for justice."

'Uproot the corrupt'

Her seeds of rebellion were sown very early on when in face of her parents' resistance to send her to school, she began writing and drawing on the walls, floors and dust-caked village streets.

She finally ended up going to school, but was married off when she was nine in a region where child marriages are common. At 12, she went to live with her husband and at 13 she had her first child.

Sampat Pal Devi says nobody helps the poor

To keep the home fires burning, Sampat Devi began to work as a government health worker, but she quit after a while because her job was not satisfying enough.

"I wanted to work for the people, not for myself alone. I was already holding meetings with people, networking with women who were ready to fight for a cause, and was ready with a group of women two years ago," she says.

Sitting outside a home in Attara, Sampat Devi waves her calloused hands, breaks into a rousing song to "uproot the corrupt and be self reliant", and animatedly talks to women - and men - who flock to her with their problems.

A mother brings in her weeping daughter who has been thrown out by her husband demanding 20,000 rupees from her parents.

"He married me for the love of money," sobs Malti.

Sampat Devi tells her "gang" that they will soon march to the girl's house and demand an explanation from the husband. "If they don't take her back and keep her well, we will resort to other measures," she says.

'No handouts'

The pink sorority is not exactly a group of male-bashing feminists - they claim they have returned 11 girls who were thrown out of their homes to their spouses because "women need men to live with".

That is also why men like Jai Prakash Shivhari join the "gulabi" gang and talk with remarkable passion about child marriages, dowry deaths, depleting water resources, farm subsidies and how funds are being stolen in government projects.

"We don't want donations or handouts. We don't want appeasement or affirmative action. Give us work, pay us proper wages and restore our dignity," he says.

The women in the "gulabi gang" echo the same sentiment - but Sampat Devi has a separate agenda for women.

The women thrashed a policeman in protest against the arrest of a poor man

"Village society in India is loaded against women. It refuses to educate them, marries them off too early, barters them for money. Village women need to study and become independent to sort it out themselves," she says.

Where do the pink women go from here?

They already claim to have done some work in combating crime and corruption in the area. Last year, Sampat Devi contested the state polls as an independent candidate and mustered only 2,800 votes.

"Joining politics is not my chosen way to help people. We will keep up our good work, so the state does not take us for granted," she says.

In the badlands of Uttar Pradesh where nothing seems to work for the poor, this itself is a laudable aim.

California Supreme Court will hear Prop 8 arguments

2008-11-19T20:14:00.000-08:00

LINK to the story and court order

BREAKING: (Press Release) The California Supreme Court today denied requests to stay the enforcement or implementation of Proposition 8, and at the same time agreed to decide several issues arising out of the passage of Proposition 8.

The court’s order, issued in the first three cases that had been filed directly in the state’s highest court challenging the validity of Proposition 8, directed the parties to brief and argue three issues:

(1) Is Proposition 8 invalid because it constitutes a revision of, rather than an amendment to, the California Constitution?
(2) Does Proposition 8 violate the separation-of-powers doctrine under the California Constitution?
(3) If Proposition 8 is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before the adoption of Proposition 8?

The court issued its order in three cases filed on behalf of a variety of parties, including same-sex couples who seek to enter into marriage despite the passage of Proposition 8, a same-sex couple who married in California prior to the adoption of Proposition 8, and a number of cities and counties whose officials seek to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Petitioners in each of these cases seek an order directing the relevant state officials to refrain from implementing, enforcing, or applying Proposition 8.

In response to the petitions, the Attorney General filed a preliminary opposition, in which he urged the court to assume jurisdiction over these cases to decide the important legal issues presented, but also argued that the court should not stay the operation of Proposition 8 pending the court’s resolution of the issues. The proponents of Proposition 8 also responded to the petitions, seeking to intervene as formal parties in the action and also urging the court to accept the cases for decision. The court’s order granted the motion to intervene filed by the proponents of Proposition 8.

In its order, the court established an expedited briefing schedule, under which briefing will be completed in January 2009 and oral argument potentially could be held as early as March 2009.
Six justices — Chief Justice Ronald M. George, Justice Marvin R. Baxter, Justice Kathryn M. Werdegar, Justice Ming W. Chin, Justice Carlos R. Moreno, and Justice Carol A. Corrigan — signed the court’s order, although Justice Moreno indicated that he would grant the requests to stay the operation of Proposition 8 pending the court’s resolution of these matters.

Justice Joyce L. Kennard would deny these petitions without prejudice to the filing in the Supreme Court of an appropriate action to determine Proposition 8’s effect, if any, on the marriages of same-sex couples performed before Proposition 8’s adoption.

New York City Sexbloggers 2009 Calendar

2008-11-19T20:10:00.000-08:00

This amazing sex positive calendar is only $20! Awesome

Thanks, Becky, for the tip!

Newsletter - 11/15/08

2008-11-16T21:27:00.000-08:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter November 15, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

This week…

Tuesday, November 18
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA, Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.
Flier: here.

Tuesday, November 18
Islamic Awareness Month: Misconceptions of Jihad
12:00-2:00pm, Speaker’s Platform
Speaker: Amir Abdel Malik

Wednesday, November 19
Islamic Awareness Month: Lost History
12:00-2:00pm, USU Ballrooms
Speaker: Michael Morgon
Wednesday, November 19
Fall 2008 Women’s Research Colloquium
Theme for 2008-2009 "Advocates for Action: Women...Equity...Change!"
(Sponsored by The President’s Commission on the Status of Women)
5:00pm-7:30pm (Dinner begins at 5:00pm; Presentations begin at 5:30pm)
The Pointe, Pyramid
Presenters: Deborah Hann, "Maps in Children's Literature: Their Uses, Forms, and Functions" and Dr. Lina Kawar, "What Keeps Jordanian Immigrant Women from Participating in Breast Cancer Screening"
Cost: $20 for faculty, staff, guests, and students.
RSVP by Wednesday, November 12, 2008 to Cynthia Angiuli via email - cangiuli@csulb.edu or by phone - (562) 985-1688
After RSVP, payment may be made in advance or at the door on the evening of the event.
To pay in advance, please: Forward check payable to CSULB Foundation to Cynthia Angiuli, Presidents Office, BH 300. Include name, department and guest list.

Thursday, November 20
Record Swap
12pm-3pm
Bring VHS, DVDs, books, mixtapes, LPs, CDs, etc.!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
If you would like to drop off your stuff before the swap, please email F.O.R.C.E. to set up a pick-up: theragzine@gmail.com
Otherwise, just bring your items on the day of the swap!
Flier: here.
Facebook event page: here.

Thursday, November 20
Islamic Awareness Month: Evolution
4:00-6:00pm, USU Ballroom A
Speaker: Mustafa Umar

Thursday, November 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance Film Screening
5:00pm, Multicultural Center
We will be screening Transamerica and discussing transgender issues in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
Facebook event page: here.

Friday, November 21
Spain in the Americas & The Americas in Spain
AS110 (Karl Anatol Center)
2pm-5pm Panel, 5pm Reception, 7pm Flamenco
2:00-5pm: Shirley Mangini, CSULB: “Maruja Mallo: International Artist” &
Luis Martín-Cabrera, UCSD: “Towards a Model of Global Justice? ‘El Caso Pinochet’ and the Limits of Human Rights and International Law”
The event is free & open to public. RSVP to cmccarty@csulb.edu or call (562) 985-4318.

Ongoing Events…

“The Art of War: American Posters from WWI and WWII” Art Exhibit
Sep 5 – Jan 26, 2009
Mondays (noon–6pm), Wednesdays–Thursdays (noon–6pm), Fridays (noon–9pm), Saturdays–Sundays (noon–6pm)
Norton Simon Museum (411 W Colorado Blvd), 626.449.6840
When searching for a means of drumming up support for World War I, officials in Washington didn't have to look much further than two-dimensional art. Upon being asked to lend a hand to the war effort, Society of Illustrators President Charles Dana Gibson and his fellow artists began pumping out graphic masterpieces dripping with propaganda. The Art of War: American Posters from World War I and World War II is a timely exhibit culled from the Norton Simon's own collection. Works include Norman Rockwell's picture-perfect portrayal of the American family gathering and James Montgomery Flagg's iconic I Want You for the U.S. Army, which brought us the enduring image of the white-bearded Uncle Sam.

“War as a Way of Life” Art Exhibit
Sep 29 – Dec 19 Mondays–Fridays (11am–5:30pm)
18th Street Arts Center (1639 18th St), 310.453.3711
18th Street wraps up its yearlong, four-part examination of sociopolitical issues with War as a Way of Life. The exhibit includes the work of 16 artists who demonstrate how war, in all its forms — overseas, at home, in our minds — has become an integral part of the way we live. The unveiling of the show coincides with Art Night, a quarterly extravaganza featuring live music, dancing, and, of course, striking visual art. Intriguingly, the gallery doubles as a polling location on November 4. With images of protest and devastation on display, expect a controversial meeting of politics and art.

In November and beyond…

Wednesday, December 3
Die In
To go along with our international women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
Facebook event page: here.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

December 4-6
Black Consciousness Conference
December 4: Talent Showcase, 6pm
December 5: Lecture Series I featuring Michaela Angela Davis, 12-9pm
December 6: Lecture Series II featuring Merira Kwesi, 12-9pm
Flier: here.

Immigration Awareness Week

2008-11-16T21:04:00.000-08:00

Come on down for some eye-opening experiences.

Tuesday, Nov. 18:
"The Life of an Undocumented University Student"
Room ED1-40
10:30am-12:00noon

Wednesday, Nov. 19:
"Women, Labor, and Migration"
Film: Maquilapolis
Room: MultiCultural Center
12:00pm-2:00pm

Thursday, Nov. 20:
"Immigration, Health, and Well-being"
Room: AS-122 (Near Beach Hut)
7:00pm-8:30pm

Sponsored by-
The Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition
Sociology Department, Psychology Department, La Raza Student Association, WSSA, Center for Community Engagement, F.U.E.L., ASI

for more info, contact: longbeachimmigrantrightscoalition@yahoo.com
or Annette Quintero @ 714-335-5297

CSUN student released on bail in Iran

2008-11-14T16:35:00.000-08:00

Cal State Northridge student released on bail in Iran

Esha Momeni was arrested last month while working on a master's thesis about women's rights. She still faces charges of 'acting against national security,' which could bring a lengthy prison term.

By Ramin Mostaghim and Borzou Daragahi
November 11, 2008

Reporting from Tehran and Beirut -- A Cal State Northridge graduate student who was arrested in Iran last month was released on $200,000 bail Monday, her father said.

Esha Momeni, 28, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who was visiting Iran to research a master's thesis, may not leave the country and must still stand before a political tribunal to face charges of "acting against national security" and "propagating against the system," said Reza Momeni, her father.

[Image here]

Both are serious charges that can carry lengthy prison sentences.

In a brief telephone interview, Momeni said his daughter had lost about 15 pounds but otherwise appeared to be in good health. He said he had to put up the deed to his family's Tehran apartment as collateral to win his Los Angeles-born daughter's release.

"I hope she will go back to L.A. soon," he said. "But for now, the authorities told us she is forbidden to go out. Tomorrow, we will be in court, and they will tell us what the next step will be."

Esha Momeni moved to Iran with her family at a young age but returned to the United States to study after she divorced in 2005. She traveled to Iran about 10 weeks ago to videotape interviews with women's rights activists as part of a master's project. She was focusing on members of the One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality, a loosely organized group that advocates better rights for Iranian women.

She was arrested and locked up in a political ward inside Tehran's Evin prison Oct. 15 after what at first appeared to be a routine traffic stop. Instead of issuing a ticket, however, police escorted her to her parents' home, where she was staying, searched the flat and seized her computer before taking her away.

News of the arrest spread abroad. Her classmates at Cal State Northridge launched a website, for-esha.blogspot.com, calling for her release. Italy's ambassador to Iran last week lodged a formal complaint about her detention, Italy's official ANSA news agency reported.

On Friday, her father was quoted by Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency as saying he disapproved of his daughter's activities.

"I had no knowledge about the illegal activities of my daughter," he said. "But now I have realized that her work was illegal."

He also denied reports that he had been barred from seeing her, saying that he and his wife "did not want to visit her" in prison "because of our anger in connection to her activities."

Mostaghim is a special correspondent. Daragahi is a Times staff writer.

daragahi@latimes.com

An intellectual makeover for Iranian women

2008-11-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

An intellectual makeover for Iranian women

Newsha Tavakolian / For The Times

Nazanin Gohari has turned her living room into a library for women, with secondhand books filling up makeshift bookshelves.

In an impoverished Tehran district, a hairdresser-turned-activist helps girls and women help themselves through books, health workshops and civic action.

By Borzou Daragahi
November 14, 2008

Reporting from Tehran -- In her eyes, they are all daughters and sisters. The waifish 18-year-old, already married and a mother, but with a hunger to learn. The pair of shy high school students, nervous at first, but soon browsing eagerly through the bookshelves. The matronly homemaker, unsure and uneducated, but discovering the world beyond the slums of southern Tehran by reading Feodor Dostoevski and Jean-Paul Sartre.

For the women in her neighborhood, Nazanin Gohari has become a savior of minds.

[Image here]

A few years back, the part-time hairdresser-turned-community activist transformed her shabby apartment into a library for women, collecting secondhand books to fill the makeshift shelves in her living room.

First she stocked them with trashy novels, poetry and how-to and self-help titles. But the demand for cookbooks and sewing patterns eventually gave way to requests for college-preparation books and literature. The girls leafing through illustrated children's books bloomed into strong-willed women eager to pursue higher education.

Gohari remembers one girl, a 17-year-old named Sedigheh, who came to her crying, distraught that her parents couldn't afford the study materials for college entrance exams. Scoring high would place the bright teenager on the fast track to a potentially glorious future, maybe even including medical school. Not taking the test would mean a life more ordinary, perhaps married to a man twice her age, tending to babies and home.

For Gohari, helping the teen became a mission, one of many. She scoured the city for the study books, relatively cheap by Western standards but a fortune for Iran's poor.

"She was ashamed because she couldn't afford the books," Gohari said.

The older woman put her hand out to the girl. "I said, 'Study here.' " And then Gohari handed her the books.

A plump, bespectacled woman now in her late 50s, Gohari delights in the women in her impoverished district, recounting the details of their triumphs and ordeals. She sprinkles her sentences with folksy praises of God as she speaks excitedly about her adventures as a grass-roots activist, filling a social and even political vacuum created by Iran's rapid transition from a largely rural nation where people tended to neighbors' needs to today's impersonal urban society where most fend for themselves.

Obscured from public view, Iran's women have quietly navigated restrictions of politics, religion and tradition over the last three decades to bolster their status and advance into positions of power.

Although the conservative clerics who took over the country after the 1979 ouster of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi hoped to ossify women's traditional roles, they set in place dynamics that liberated them. As the clerics launched literacy drives and built hundreds of colleges around the country, Iran's literacy rate rose from less than 50% in the 1970s to as high as 85% today.

Instead of creating a powerful new Islamic generation, they pushed the country into the modern age, raising the ambitions and savvy of young Iranians, half of them women, who began to question society's rules and strictures.

"It's one of the ironies of the revolution that women's sense of self has become much stronger," said Pardis Mahdavi, an Iranian American anthropologist who teaches at Pomona College and wrote the 2008 book "Passionate Uprisings," about the evolution of sex and gender in Iran. "The revolution has given birth to a stronger women's movement."

Gohari, a mother of two and the wife of a civil servant, began embracing community activism in the early 1990s, shortly after the Iran-Iraq war and the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Wartime restrictions loosened and the revolutionary leader's charismatic spell was broken. The country began to focus on practical matters such as rebuilding a ravaged infrastructure and promoting better health. A social worker dispatched to Gohari's neighborhood, the ancient district of Rey, charmed her into attending a breast cancer awareness workshop.

She didn't want to go at first. But from the beginning of the initial session, on breast self-examinations, it was a revelation. One of her best friends had died of breast cancer. "It was eye-opening," she said. "Those 10 minutes changed my life."

The reluctant student became a cheerleader for women's health, encouraging her neighbors, many of them poor recent arrivals from the countryside, to come to workshops on prenatal care, child development, breast cancer awareness, nutrition, sex education and mental health.

"I would offer women discounts on hairdos if they would come to the courses," Gohari said.

She began organizing the women to demand better municipal services, better-lighted streets clear of drug addicts and criminals, and parks where mothers could take their children without fear of being accosted by panhandlers or stumbling over used needles.

Gohari was elected head of a women's council that she and her neighbors created. They began demanding meetings with municipal leaders.

One top official for the Ministry of Electricity resisted. His excuse: He didn't like dealing with women.

[continue reading here...]

Newsletter - 11/08/08

2008-11-09T00:45:00.000-08:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter November 8, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

F.O.R.C.E. does NOT support the passing of Prop 8. We plan to work hard to fight this along with other progressive organizations in California and nationwide. We will post information on our blog as we get it.

This week...

Wednesday, November 12
What is Really Happening in Venezuela?: Chavéz, Bush and the U.S. Media
CBA Rm. 229, 4-7 pm
Free pizza and refreshments.
This forum will include reflections from students who visited Venezuela last summer, short clips from a documentary made by Luis Testa, a recent graduate of the journalism department, and commentaries by Professor Raul Reis and anthropology major Patricia McHugh. Open discussion/debate about media, politics and foreign policy will follow.

Friday, November 14
iCULTURE: An informal discussion on today's social issues
topic: Democracy in America
6:30pm
Mirage Cafe, 538 E. Bixby Ave., LB
Flier here.

Next week…

Tuesday, November 18
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA, Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Wednesday, November 19
Fall 2008 Women’s Research Colloquium, Theme for 2008-2009 "Advocates for Action: Women...Equity...Change!"
(Sponsored by The President’s Commission on the Status of Women)
5:00pm-7:30pm (Dinner begins at 5:00pm; Presentations begin at 5:30pm)
The Pointe, Pyramid
Presenters: Deborah Hann, "Maps in Children's Literature: Their Uses, Forms, and Functions" and Dr. Lina Kawar, "What Keeps Jordanian Immigrant Women from Participating in Breast Cancer Screening"
Cost: $20 for faculty, staff, guests, and students.
RSVP by Wednesday, November 12, 2008 to Cynthia Angiuli via email - cangiuli@csulb.edu or by phone - (562) 985-1688
After RSVP, payment may be made in advance or at the door on the evening of the Colloquium.
To pay in advance, please: Forward check payable to CSULB Foundation to Cynthia Angiuli, Presidents Office, BH 300. Include name, department and guest list.

Thursday, November 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance film screening
CSULB Multicultural Center
5:00pm
Facebook event page: here.

Thursday, November 20
Record Swap
12pm-3pm
Bring VHS, DVDs, books, mixtapes, LPs, CDs, etc.!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
If you would like to drop off your stuff before the swap, please email F.O.R.C.E. to set up a pick-up: theragzine@gmail.com
Otherwise, just bring your items on the day of the swap!

Ongoing Events…

“The Art of War: American Posters from WWI and WWII” Art Exhibit
Sep 5 – Jan 26, 2009
Mondays (noon–6pm), Wednesdays–Thursdays (noon–6pm), Fridays (noon–9pm), Saturdays–Sundays (noon–6pm)
Norton Simon Museum (411 W Colorado Blvd), 626.449.6840
When searching for a means of drumming up support for World War I, officials in Washington didn't have to look much further than two-dimensional art. Upon being asked to lend a hand to the war effort, Society of Illustrators President Charles Dana Gibson and his fellow artists began pumping out graphic masterpieces dripping with propaganda. The Art of War: American Posters from World War I and World War II is a timely exhibit culled from the Norton Simon's own collection. Works include Norman Rockwell's picture-perfect portrayal of the American family gathering and James Montgomery Flagg's iconic I Want You for the U.S. Army, which brought us the enduring image of the white-bearded Uncle Sam.

“War as a Way of Life” Art Exhibit
Sep 29 – Dec 19 Mondays–Fridays (11am–5:30pm)
18th Street Arts Center (1639 18th St), 310.453.3711
18th Street wraps up its yearlong, four-part examination of sociopolitical issues with War as a Way of Life. The exhibit includes the work of 16 artists who demonstrate how war, in all its forms — overseas, at home, in our minds — has become an integral part of the way we live. The unveiling of the show coincides with Art Night, a quarterly extravaganza featuring live music, dancing, and, of course, striking visual art. Intriguingly, the gallery doubles as a polling location on November 4. With images of protest and devastation on display, expect a controversial meeting of politics and art.

In November and beyond…

Wednesday, December 3
Die In
To go along with our international women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
Facebook event page: here.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

Also…

Study abroad in Oaxaca!
ANTH 440/540 (3 units)
January 5-19, 2009
Open to all majors (Faculty permission required)
ETHNOGRAPHIC FIELD SCHOOL
OAXACA, MEXICO
Estimated cost: $2,275
Included:
Course tuition, Roundtrip fare LAX -->Oaxaca, Land transportation, Medical insurance, Hotel/2 meals per day, Entry to sites
Not Included:
Passport fee, Some meals, Personal expenses
You will be…
Learning to collect and analyze data, Visiting museums, schools, and historic and cultural sites that shape Oaxacan identity, Interviewing farmers, artists, teachers and students about family and community life, Participating in everyday activities in Oaxaca City and farming and artisan villages
For information and application please contact:
Dr. Jayne Howell, Department of Anthropology: jhowell@csulb.edu
Deadline: Registration and payment of all fees Nov. 15, 2008

We do NOT support Prop 8!

2008-11-06T18:54:00.000-08:00

Prop 8 is a ballot measure on the November 4, 2008 California ballots that has taken away the marriage rights of same-sex couples. It is WRONG.

Last night, we attended a rally in West Hollywood against Proposition 8. The turn-out was amazing! People are really working hard to do something about the violation of basic civil rights that has just been passed. This is a huge issue and FORCE is prepared to help in any way possible. There will be other rallies and protests and events, and we will post them as we find them.

http://www.noonprop8.com

News coverage of the event:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2008/11/los-angeles-p-1.html

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-protestarrest6-2008nov06,0,288808.story

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid64979.asp

Picnic & Film Screening this Saturday, 11/08/08

2008-11-04T06:22:00.000-08:00

FORCE will be carpooling to the AFI Film Festival on Saturday, November 8, for two FREE screenings. We will be meeting on campus at 12:00pm, having a picnic in Griffith Park at 1:00pm, then going to the "Food Fight" screening at 3:15pm. If you can stay longer, we'll also see "The World We Want" at 7:00pm.

BRING A PICNIC LUNCH!

There are many more films that day, but those are the only free ones. The other films are $11.

If interested, please contact us at force4change@yahoo.com

*****
FOOD FIGHT
Free Screenings
(USA, 2008, 83 mins)
HDCAM
Directed By: Chris Taylor
Producers: Chris Taylor, Mark Rossen
Executive Producer: Alan Siegel
Director of Photography: Pete Fuszard
Editor: Miranda Yousef
Music: Scott Harper

* www.foodfightthedoc.com/

Horrible news: there’s been a governmental conspiracy afoot for decades to make America’s food less delicious! In Chris Taylor’s gastronomical documentary, this crime against our taste buds is comprehensively exposed, with the revolutionary stance against it (otherwise known as organic produce) brought into delectable relief. Taylor reaches as far back as World War II to explain our country’s initial tendency toward corporate-owned, mass-produced and flavorless agricultural goods, and examines how this trend has ultimately landed the United States in the unhealthy state it is in today. From there, the documentary takes a mouthwatering turn as it follows the now-legendary chefs who spearheaded the California Cuisine movement. Notables such as Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters, Wolfgang Puck, Jeremiah Tower and Suzanne Goin are interviewed, with their stories of culinary triumph lovingly retold. In a country where The Man seems to have quality control over almost all aspects of our lives, a fight for fresh food is more than just a tummy growl—it’s a subversive move to protect our right to be healthy and happy. FOOD FIGHT fully promotes this idea, and urges its viewers to continue the 50-year battle for deliciousness by buying locally and eating organically. And who could argue? All we have to lose is our heart disease, obesity and wealthy corporate middlemen. Viva la revolution!

*****

THE WORLD WE WANT
Free Screenings
(USA, 2008, 100 mins)
World Premiere
Directed By: Patrick Davidson
Producer: Patrick Davidson
Director of Photography: Curt Miles,Brian Pratt
Editors: Joanne Nucho, Bill Macomber
Music: Paul Hollman
Co Producer: Roberta Davidson

* theworldwewantmovie.com/

Patrick Davidson's empowering documentary follows a group of self-motivated teenagers, from a broad spectrum of countries, who come together to strive for societal betterment. In the film, the final eight teams compete in Project Citizen, an international program in which groups of teens present game plans for community improvement in their home cities. An array of countries are represented—Jordan, Senegal, Columbia, India and beyond—with an even more diverse group of active and intelligent young people each given his or her moment to defend a worthy cause. Perhaps what is most moving about THE WORLD WE WANT is how it captures the non-destructive side of teen spirit. The young men and women are at once normal and exemplary, channeling their rebellious teenage drive into positive action, with hopes of creating a more positive future. Meanwhile, Davidson provides sobering reminders that the world we currently occupy is far from ideal. The team from Jordan investigates into the relentless presence of beatings-as-punishment in primary schools, while the Senegalese team takes a stand against the unsanitary drinking water in the city of Ross Bethio. The members of Project Citizen have seen violence, poverty, and corruption, experienced illness, and even lost loved ones: harsh realities that set them into motion. In a culture that glorifies selfish, privileged and irresponsible teenagers, the youth of THE WORLD WE WANT deserve at least equal time.

Newsletter 11/03/08

2008-11-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter November 3, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

Submission date extended for entries for the 2nd Zine
Entries Due: Saturday, November 8.
Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

This past week…

Monday, October 27
Prop 4 Forum
12:00pm-2:00pm, in room LA3-108
F.O.R.C.E. hosted a forum to discuss both sides of Proposition 4 on the California ballot. The event raised awareness about the importance of voting on this issue.

This week…
Friday, October 31 – November 9
AFI Fest 2008
AFI Fest is a film festival featuring documentary and feature films from around the world. Independent cinema and foreign cinema are well represented.
http://www.afi.com/onscreen/afifest/2008/default.aspx

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!
We have "Vote No on 4 & 8" signs and literature to pass out to voters. Election regulations state that you can hand out literature up to 100 feet away from polling locations. At CSULB's Student Union on Election Day, there will be a voting location. We plan to have some of our members and supporters handing out "No on 4 & 8" literature for voters and generally helping in the voting process.
If you have even 30min-an hour on election day and would like to hold a sign, help voters, or pass out literature with us, PLEASE do so! We will be keeping all of the material in the Women's Resource Center at at the Student Union location. if you are interested, please email me your name and phone number so that we can arrange the time that you can help out!

In November and beyond…

November 18
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA, Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Wednesday, December 3
Die In
To go along with our international women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
Facebook event page: here.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

Also…

Study abroad in Oaxaca!
ANTH 440/540 (3 units)
January 5-19, 2009
Open to all majors (Faculty permission required)
ETHNOGRAPHIC FIELD SCHOOL
OAXACA, MEXICO
Estimated cost: $2,275
Included:
Course tuition, Roundtrip fare LAX -->Oaxaca, Land transportation, Medical insurance, Hotel/2 meals per day, Entry to sites
Not Included:
Passport fee, Some meals, Personal expenses
You will be…
Learning to collect and analyze data, Visiting museums, schools, and historic and cultural sites that shape Oaxacan identity, Interviewing farmers, artists, teachers and students about family and community life, Participating in everyday activities in Oaxaca City and farming and artisan villages
For information and application please contact:
Dr. Jayne Howell, Department of Anthropology: jhowell@csulb.edu
Deadline: Registration and payment of all fees Nov. 15, 2008

2008-10-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

A Woman Leads Muslim Prayer in Britain For the First Time

By Fatemeh Fakhraie
October 22, 2008

The landmark event depicts a religion in transition, but what of the criticisms that it's just a publicity stunt?

Last Friday, Dr. Amina Wadud led a mixed-gender congregation of 15 people in prayer in the U.K. This is the first time that any Muslim woman has done so in Britain, and the second time Dr. Wadud has led a mixed congregational prayer (she made history by leading a congregation in New York City in 2005).

Plenty of less-than-enthusiastic Muslims lined up outside to protest Dr. Wadud because they feel Islamic law does not permit women to lead prayer. Several prominent Muslims in Britain, including the Vice President of the Muslim Association of Britain, issued statements opposing the sermon. On the blogosphere, there have been mixed reactions. There are people who are down with the idea, people who aren't aren’t, and some in between.

Personally, I'm in the camp that finds Dr. Wadud and her work to be awesome, including her leading prayer. My only major qualm is with the media presence: the cameras make the event look like a publicity stunt (which is one of the accusations made by those who disagree with Dr. Wadud) which would lessen its value. I can understand the desire for transparency and wanting to share this occasion with others around the world. But frankly, it doesn’t good when cameras outnumber actual worshippers.

Still, the critical point here is that Dr. Wadud’s work illustrates that Islam is not a stagnant religion and that Muslims aren’t religiously-programmed robots. For many people, Islam is not rigid or immutable, but changes as we and our societies evolve. This is an example of what can happen when a fresh pair of eyes delves into Islamic theology and law. Dr. Wadud’s work is not presently accepted by the majority of Muslims, but it is important work nonetheless.

Bio
Fatemeh Fakhraie is an Iranian-American Muslim woman who writes articles about race, religion, and feminism in different outlets, and speaks publicly about issues that Muslim women face from an Islamic feminist viewpoint. She founded and currently serves as editor of Muslimah Media Watch, a website that critiques media images of Muslim women.

2008-10-26T13:01:00.001-07:00

This Is Not An Invitation To Rape Me - Changing Attitudes on The Blame For Rape
http://www.thisisnotaninvitationtorapeme.co.uk/

A great campaign that started in Scotland. The campaign uses provocative and interesting imagery to expose to the way rape culture promotes victim-blaming. Some of the topics covered are dress, intimacy, drinking, and relationships. This is a great resource for people who wish to learn more about rape culture

2008-10-26T12:46:00.000-07:00

An Open Letter to White Non-Muslim Western Feminists
by Fatemeh, muslimnista.org

We need to talk.

Having the economic privilege to spend a few summers in Cairo or to study abroad in Dubai does not give you the authority to speak about Middle Eastern culture.

Dating a Saudi guy does not give you the authority to speak about Islam. Or about Muslim men.

Knowing some Muslim women through work or as friends does not give you the authority to speak for them or the rest of Muslim women.

There are those of us who suffer. But don’t speak of us as victims if we are not dead. Don’t deny the agency with which we become survivors and active shapers of our lives. Don’t ignore the fighting we do for ourselves.

We can—and do—speak for ourselves. So stop speaking for us.

I notice a lot of condescension and arrogance when you talk to us or about us. Let me be clear: you do not know more about us than we know about ourselves, our religion, our cultures, our families, or the forces that shape our lives. You do not know what’s best for us more than we do.

So please check yourselves.

Being an ally does not mean speaking for us, making choices for us, or figuring out what’s best for us. It means supporting and defending the choices we make and the voices we use.

If we want help, and ask for it, then do only what you’re asked. Don’t invent new ways to characterize us as oppressed or agitate for the solving of problems that aren’t pressingly important. Case in point: if we want better divorce laws in a particular country, don’t agitate for the abolishing of mandatory clothing policies.

If you can’t do that, then don’t bother. It’s better to just stay out of our way. Passing judgment on and mischaracterizing our choices, our religion, or ways of life does us more harm than good; with friends like that, who needs enemies?

Sincerely,

An Islamic feminist who has met one-too-many white non-Muslim feminists that assume that they know better

Newsletter 10/25/08

2008-10-25T17:01:00.001-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 25, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: There will be no F.O.R.C.E. meeting this Monday, October 27, because of the Prop 4 Forum

This week…

October 22, 2008 - November 02, 2008
Refugee Camp in the Heart of Los Angeles
9:00AM - 5:30PM
Los Angeles: (Crystal Springs Picnic Area, Griffith Park): October 22 - 27
Santa Monica (Santa Monica Pier): October 31 -November 2
Step into the lives of refugees who have fled their homes.
"A Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City," an outdoor interactive exhibit organized by Doctors Without Borders, asks visitors to imagine they are among the world's 42 million people forced to flee their homes because of war or conflict.
Will I be safe? What will I eat? How do I find water? Can I get medical care? Where will I live?
Experienced aid workers from Doctors Without Borders guide visitors through structures such as a cholera treatment center, emergency refugee housing, and nutrition and vaccination tents while they explain challenges that refugees face in finding food, water, shelter, and medical care. The exhibit is made up of actual materials the organization uses in its medical humanitarian work around the world.
Event is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessbile.
For more information visit: www.doctorswithoutborders.org/RefugeeCamp

Saturday, October 25
headRush presents “Tour for a True Democracy”
Echo Park, CA
Use the arts and popular education to spark civic engagement and explore the issues surrounding the upcoming election 2008!
Fall 2008, headRush takes their wild multi-media satire to theatres, colleges, and public spaces throughout the country to ignite a community-based dialogue on the current state of affairs and our collective power to create the kind of democratic structure that truly represents us.The Throwdown brings street theatre to the stage and takes the audience into the imagination of a young man struggling for a "true" democracy. Through spoken word comedy, surreal musical numbers, and visual projections, headRush takes us on a psycho-political trip through this homeboy’s subconscious where elements of the corporo-tocracy take superhuman form, a world where powerful fiends use hyper-surveillance to maintain their grip on inner city youth, manipulate Homeland (In)Security over the US/Mexico border, and flood consumers with endless glittering golden distractions. This hybrid performance invites audiences to participate in a collective vision of our potential for change.
The cost is $10 to 25 sliding scale but no one will be turned away!

Monday, October 27
Prop 4 Forum
12:00pm-2:00pm, in room LA3-108
F.O.R.C.E. is hosting a forum to discuss both sides of Proposition 4 on the California ballot. The event will raise awareness about the importance of voting on this issue. Anyone and everyone is invited to attend, or special on a particular side, if they wish.
NO ON PROP 4: http://www.yeson4.net
YES ON PROP 4: http://www.yeson4.net
Facebook event page: here.

Tuesday, October 28th
Prop 2 Teach-In (Cease Animal Torture)
1:00-2:00pm, on the upper campus quad near KJazz
An event to raise awareness about the importance of Prop 2 on the November ballot. Information on the ballot available here.

Tuesday, October 28
ITVS DOCUMENTARY SERIES presents a screening of LIONESS
7:30pm, The Egyptian Theater, Los Angeles (Map)
They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America's first generation of female combat veterans. Despite an official government policy that states that women are not supposed to partake in direct ground combat, the five women featured here most certainly did. LIONESS, the provocative and powerful documentary from Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, tells the story of five women who served together for a year in Iraq. Free Admission! First come, first served. Panel Discussion participants to be announced. About ITVS Community Cinema: ITVS, the co-presenter of Independent Lens, presents ITVS Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series, offered in over 50 cities throughout the U.S. www.itvs.org , www.pbs.org/independentlens

Tuesday, October 28
I.O.U.S.A. Film Screening
Doors open at 5pm, Panel at 6:45pm, Sneak preview Monday Oct. 27 at 5pm
USU Beach Auditorium
Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBo2xQIWHiM
The Financial Management Association (FMA) will present
the Sundance Award-winning film I.O.U.S.A. on Monday, October 27 and
Tuesday, October 28 in the USU Beach Auditorium. This is a
critically acclaimed documentary that discusses government
debt, liabilities, the trade deficit, personal debt, and
leadership/ethics. FMA has been granted exclusive rights
to show it at the university with no admission charge. As
a matter of fact, the CSULB will be hosting the very first
university release of this film in the western United
States.
Both screenings of I.O.U.S.A. will begin at 5 PM. However,
the October 28th showing will be the official event, as it
will be followed by a panel of experts at 6:45 PM.
Confirmed panelists are Drs. Michael Solt (Finance Expert and CBA Dean), Edgar Kaskla (Political Science), Lisa Grobar (Economics), Steven Yamarik (Economics), and F. King Alexander (President of CSULB)

Wednesday, October 29
CSULB No on Prop 8 Protest
12:30pm-2:30pm, Friendship Walk
http://www.noonprop8.com
Facebook event page: here.

Thursday, October 30
“Know Your Props” Information Fair
12-3pm, on the Friendship walk on upper campus
CA propositions on the November ballot
Groups that will be featured: Campus Progressive Collective, F.O.R.C.E., C.A.T., W.S.S.A., Environmental Science & policy CLUB & More

In November and December, F.O.R.C.E. will be taking on international women’s issues. We will be having a zine, a “Die In,” and we will be working with various other organizations on events that promote peace and equality on a global scale. Please email us if you want to be involved in any way!

Friday, October 31 – November 9
AFI Fest 2008
AFI Fest is a film festival featuring documentary and feature films from around the world. Independent cinema and foreign cinema are well represented.
http://www.afi.com/onscreen/afifest/2008/default.aspx

Next week...

Saturday, November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!

In November and beyond...

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA, Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Date TBA
Die In
To go along with our international women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

New Documentary: "Saving Africa's Witch Children"

2008-10-22T20:05:00.000-07:00

Channel 4's Dispatches to investigate Nigerian 'witch children'

From The Guardian UK: Oscar-nominated actor Sophie Okonedo is to narrate a hard-hitting Dispatches programme for Channel 4 (UK) about children in Nigeria who are tortured for being witches.

The new programme... will look at the phenomenon of children who are blamed for catastrophes, death and famine and branded witches in some of the poorest parts of Nigeria.

Saving Africa's Witch Children follows Briton Gary Foxcroft, who has devoted his life to raising money to help the children and who works with Nigerian Sam Itauma, who runs a shelter for children accused of witchcraft.

The documentary will feature shocking stories of torture inflicted on children, including a 13-year-old who was tied up with chicken wire and starved and beaten for two weeks, and a 14-year-old girl who was burned with acid before her mother attempted to bury her alive.

Read the full article here.

Afghan gets 20 years for women’s rights talk

2008-10-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

Afghan gets 20 years for women’s rights talk
Death sentence quashed, but student is jailed over Islam questions in class

KABUL, Afghanistan - An Afghan appeals court overturned a death sentence Tuesday for a journalism student accused of blasphemy for asking questions in class about women's rights under Islam. But the judges still sentenced him to 20 years in prison.

Read the story here.

Newsletter 10/20/08

2008-10-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 20, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

The first F.O.R.C.E. zine of the semester, The Sex Positive Zine, is finished! There are lots of great articles, stories, poems, and art work in the zine. If you would like a copy, they are $1.00. Please email us at force4change@yahoo.com

This past week…

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
Pictures: here.

This week…
In the state of California, in order to be eligible to vote in the statewide election on November 4, 2008 (General Election), your registration must be postmarked no later than October 20, 2008
Register to vote HERE.

Monday and Tuesday, October 20th and 21st
Disability Awareness Days: Open Your Mind to Our Endless Abilities
Monday: Mental Health Awareness keynote speaker 12-1:30pm, panel discussion 2-3:30pm (USU Ballrooms)
Tuesday: "Take a walk in our shoes" reflection, movie screening "Darius Goes West" (Anatol Center)

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21st and 22nd
CSULB Project Safe & Clothesline Project
11:00am-7:00pm
In recognition of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness month...
Survivors speak out, stories of hope, and candlelight vigil. Speak Out is an open mic oppurtunity for survivors to share their stories in a supportive environment and for the community to learn about the true impact of domestic violence and dating violence. The silent vigil will honor survivors and join the Long Beach community together to end domestic violence.

Thursday, October 23th
Prop 8 Discussion Forum (hosted by Associated Students Inc.)
3:00-5:30 pm, in the Beach Auditorium in the first floor of the University Student Union (USU)
We will be discussing Proposition 8, which deals with the issue of Gay and Lesbian Marriage in the state of California. Hear both sides speak about the issue, and please have questions ready for both!
Maceo Persson, a community organizer, will be speaking on behalf of No on 8
Jeff Parker, attorney, will be speaking on behalf of Yes on 8

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force4change@yahoo.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

Saturday, October 25
headRush presents “Tour for a True Democracy”
Echo Park, CA (We do not yet have the exact address, please email us if you are interested in attending)
Use the arts and popular education to spark civic engagement and explore the issues surrounding the upcoming election 2008!
Fall 2008, headRush takes their wild multi-media satire to theatres, colleges, and public spaces throughout the country to ignite a community-based dialogue on the current state of affairs and our collective power to create the kind of democratic structure that truly represents us.The Throwdown brings street theatre to the stage and takes the audience into the imagination of a young man struggling for a "true" democracy. Through spoken word comedy, surreal musical numbers, and visual projections, headRush takes us on a psycho-political trip through this homeboy’s subconscious where elements of the corporo-tocracy take superhuman form, a world where powerful fiends use hyper-surveillance to maintain their grip on inner city youth, manipulate Homeland (In)Security over the US/Mexico border, and flood consumers with endless glittering golden distractions. This hybrid performance invites audiences to participate in a collective vision of our potential for change.
The cost is $10 to 25 sliding scale but no one will be turned away!

In October and beyond…

Monday, October 27
Prop 4 Forum
Location TBA, 12pm-2pm
F.O.R.C.E. is hosting a discussion on Proposition 4. We invite various groups and individuals (anyone who wants to attend)! We also need people to speak on either No or Yes on Prop 4. We are trying to mix it up, so that people who are voting one way might be arguing for a different side. This should provide for an insightful and interesting discussion.

Tuesday, October 28 – 7:30 PM
The Egyptian Theater, Los Angeles (Map)
ITVS DOCUMENTARY SERIES presents a screening of LIONESS
They went to Iraq as cooks, clerks and mechanics and returned a year later as part of America's first generation of female combat veterans. Despite an official government policy that states that women are not supposed to partake in direct ground combat, the five women featured here most certainly did. LIONESS, the provocative and powerful documentary from Meg McLagan and Daria Sommers, tells the story of five women who served together for a year in Iraq. Free Admission! First come, first served. Panel Discussion participants to be announced. About ITVS Community Cinema: ITVS, the co-presenter of Independent Lens, presents ITVS Community Cinema, a free monthly screening series, offered in over 50 cities throughout the U.S. www.itvs.org , www.pbs.org/independentlens

Thursday, October 30
Proposition Fair (hosted by Campus Progressives)
12:00-3:00pm
Friendship walk, Upper Campus
Various different groups will be offering information and tabling for the propositions on this November’s ballot. F.O.R.C.E. will be representing Prop 4.

In November, F.O.R.C.E. will be taking on international women’s issues. We will be having a zine, a “Die In,” and we will be working with various other organizations on events that promote peace and equality on a global scale. Please email us if you want to be involved in any way!

November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!

Date TBA
Die In
To go along with our internation women’s issues theme for November, we will be hosting a “Die In.” More details will be announced in the coming weeks. The event will be a way to raise awareness to the number of women that are dying due to various factors and atrocities around the world. We will be wearing all black and speaking about these issues, on the friendship walk on upper campus.
If you would like to help plan the Die In, please email Justine at justineeemarie@gmail.com

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA and F.O.R.C.E., Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

CSULB Clothesline Project

2008-10-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

T-Shirts Needed!

Any size--Any color--Any logo--Any age!

T-shirts are an important and highly visual tool in the healing process of survivors of domestic violence,, sexual assault, and stalking.

We will gladly recycle your clean old shirts. All you need to do to participate is to drop your shirts in collection boxes located in the Women's Resource Center in LA3-105

You will be able to see a powerful display of shirts created by survivors of domestic and sexual assault

Tuesday and Wednesday, October 21 & 22, 2008

11am-7pm

In the Free Speech area outside the 49er Bookstore

Domestic Violence Awareness Days 2008

A Project Safe program

for additional information, contact the WRC at (562) 985-8576

Intellectual Freedom in Dangerous Times

2008-10-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 16:

INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM IN DANGEROUS TIMES
Presented by the Department of Women's Studies with support from the Provost's Office, the President's Office, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Women's Resource Center

Mari Matsuda of Georgetown University, the first tenured female Asian American law professor in the United States, is the keynote speaker for a day of activities addressing the relationship and status of liberal arts and critical thinking. For information on other activities of the day, including the panel of activists and academics, tabling by grassroots organizations, and a poster session on the liberal arts and critical thinking, conatct the Women’s Studies Department : (562) 985-4839.

Prof. Matsuda’s presentation: 4 pm in Lecture Hall 150

Newsletter 10/11/08

2008-10-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 11, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: This Monday, October 13, we will be meeting directly outside the WRC, on the grass!

The first F.O.R.C.E. zine of the semester, The Sex Positive Zine, is finished!
There are lots of great articles, stories, poems, and art work in the zine. If you
would like a copy, they are $1.00. Please email us: force4change@yahoo.com

This past week…

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
Sex Positive Week
The event was fantastic!! Thank you to everyone who helped out!
Recap of Monday and Tuesday (Wednesday’s recap will be updated this week): HERE.
Pictures HERE.

Thursday, Oct 9: 11:30am – 1:30pm on the Friendship Walk
National Coming Out Day Fair & Open-Mic session
This was an amazing event. Many people told their coming out/support stories, and lots of progressive organizations had tables at the event. We love the LGBT Center!

This week…

Mondays (October 6, 13, 20, 27), 4-7pm
Rape Agression Defense (R.A.D.): Women’s Self-Defense
To sign up, email your name and contact info to Corporal Ami Rzasa, University Police at arzasa@csulb.edu or call 562-985-8538. One time registration fee of $10 (due on the first day of class).
Flier: here.

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
Bring your records, books, zines, VHS, etc…
Clear some space, get some free stuff!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
Flier: here.
We need volunteers to help out with setting up and putting stuff away for the Record Swap! Email us at force4change@yahoo.com if you can help us out! And hopefully, you’ll be attending and bringing your stuff, too!
Volunteers: Wandie 12:15-2:00pm

Thursday, October 16 – 6:00pm
Iron Jawed Angels Film Screening and Voter Registration (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Friday, October 17 – 7:00pm
Hip Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes Film Screening + Q&A with Dr. Shirra Tarrant (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Saturday, October 18
“Casualties of War” Art Show Ends
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit is on-going until October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

In October and Beyond…
In the state of California, in order to be eligible to vote in the
statewide election on November 4, 2008 (General Election),
your registration must be postmarked no later than October 20
Register to vote HERE.

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force4change@yahoo.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women’s issues!
Flier: here.

November 4
VOTE VOTE VOTE!

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
The Center for Peace and Social Justice along with the College of Liberal Arts is hosting a campus & community festival for Peace. An all inclusive event of dialogue, performance, action and celebration dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world.
Activities include: A human peace symbol, “It takes a Village to Rape a Woman” Domestic violence workshop presented by WSSA and F.O.R.C.E., Workshop on Hate Crimes in Long Beach Presented by The Human Dignity Program of Long Beach and CCEJ, Guests Speakers, and a candlelight vigil honoring all those lost to violence world wide.

Newsletter 10/04/08

2008-10-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter October 4, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: There will be no meeting this Monday, October 6 because of Sex Positive Week!

This past week…

Wednesday, October 1
"War Is Expensive, Peace is Priceless" Rally (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
A forum to discuss the "deeper issues related to U.S. interventions" in Afghanistan and Iraq. Three guest speakers: Maricela Guzman, Anne Wright and Stephan Zunes.

Thursday, October 2
“Night of a thousand conversations”
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (chirla.org) is sponsoring conversations about the violations of human rights and discrimination against undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Pictures from the event: here.

Saturday, October 4
Sarah Palin Protest in Carson, CA
Pictures from the event: here.

This week…

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
SEX POSITIVE WEEK
Information here: http://sexpositivecsulb.blogspot.com
Facebook event page here: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=18784789234
If you would like to help/volunteer for Sex Positive Week, please email us the times that you would like to volunteer on Oct. 6, 7 & 8! force4change@yahoo.com

Monday, October 6 – Thursday, October 9
National Coming Out Week (LGBT Center)
Monday, Oct. 6: 11:30am – 1:30pm in USU 205
"Safe and Sexy: Negotiating Healthy Sexual Relationships"
Presented by Heidi Burkey from Student Health Services
Tuesday, Oct. 7: 11:30am – 1:30pm in USU 205
Sexual Fluidity Panel
Wednesday, Oct. 8: 11:30am – 1:30pm in USU 205
LGBT Faculty/Staff Panel
Thursday, Oct 9: 11:30am – 1:30pm on the Friendship Walk
National Coming Out Day Fair & Open-Mic session

Mondays (October 6, 13, 20, 27), 4-7pm
Rape Agression Defense (R.A.D.): Women’s Self-Defense
To sign up, email your name and contact info to Corporal Ami Rzasa, University Police at arzasa@csulb.edu or call 562-985-8538. One time registration fee of $10 (due on the first day of class).
Flier: here.

Next Week…

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
Bring your records, books, zines, VHS, etc…
Clear some space, get some free stuff!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
Flier: here.

Thursday, October 16 – 6:00pm
Iron Jawed Angels Film Screening and Voter Registration (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Friday, October 17 – 7:00pm
Hip Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes Film Screening + Q&A with Dr. Shirra Tarrant (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Saturday, October 18
“Casualties of War” Art Show Ends
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit is on-going until October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

In October and Beyond…

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force@force4change.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

November 1
Entries for the 2nd Zine Due. Theme: international women's issues!
Flier: here.

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
A campus-wide program with information tables, poetry reading, music and numerous other activities. More information to come!

2008-10-05T00:42:00.000-07:00

Pictures from this week's events...

On Oct. 4, Sarah Palin, Republican VP candidate, was in Carson, CA for a fundraiser. We protested. (More)

On Oct. 2, we sat on the grass with some hot tea to have a discussion on immigration reform. The goal of Night of a Thousand Conversations is to "learn how the overreach of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is undermining the civil liberties and human rights of people living in America and discuss how to work together to ensure these rights are restored." Mariana was the moderator. We plan to have this event again. (More)

Newsletter 09/28/08

2008-09-29T06:04:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter September 28, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)
NOTE: There will be no meeting on Monday, October 6 because of Sex Positive Week!

News…

Police in Mexico arrest alleged killer of US woman
MEXICO CITY: Authorities in southern Oaxaca state said Saturday they have arrested a man who allegedly raped and killed a U.S. woman.

Omar Yoguez Singu, 32, told police he had consensual sex with Marcella Grace Eiler, 20, of Eugene, Oregon, and then killed her with a machete after an argument on Sept. 15, Oaxaca State Attorney General Evencio Ramirez said.

Eiler's badly decomposed body was found Wednesday in a shack 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of Oaxaca City, near the town of San Jose del Pacifico.

Ramirez said Singu was turned over to police on Wednesday in Mexico City by friends who first beat him up after he confessed to the crime.

Eiler's father, John Eiler, of St. Louis, Missouri, said his daughter was a dance teacher and social activist in Oaxaca City, where she had lived on and off for the past three years.
Today on IHT.com
Bailout plan in hand, House braces for tough vote
On bailout, Obama and McCain were surely themselves
Chechen government intensifies scare tactics, rebels' families say

"She was really trying to spend her energy as an observer for an indigenous rights organization," John Eiler said in a telephone interview.
More info: here.
Facebook group: here.

This past week…

Monday, September 22
Get Out Her Vote and Vote NO on Props 4 & 8 Training
Women’s Resource Center, LA 3- 105

Sunday, September 28
Sex Positive Week Meeting
- We made some signs to put up around campus
- We received fliers, which we will be leaving around campus. If you want to pick some up, they are in the Women’s Resource Center on campus.
- We watched the documentary Sex Positive.

The week of Monday, September 29…

Tuesday, September 30 – 7:30 PM
FREE FILM SCREENING of Chicago 10!
The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
CHICAGO 10, 2007, Roadside Attractions, 110 min. Mixing animation with archival footage and using the voices of Nick Nolte, Roy Scheider, Hank Azaria, Mark Ruffalo and others, director Brett Morgen explores the build-up to and unraveling the 1968 Chicago Conspiracy Trial. A parable of hope, courage and challenge as it portrays the struggle of young Americans speaking out and taking a stand in the face of an oppressive and armed government. Free admission!
Information HERE.

Wednesday, October 1 – 10:30am
"War Is Expensive, Peace is Priceless" Rally (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
A forum to discuss the "deeper issues related to U.S. interventions" in Afghanistan and Iraq. Three guest speakers: Maricela Guzman, Anne Wright and Stephan Zunes.
F.O.R.C.E. will be tabling & doing voter registration.
Flier: here.

Thursday, October 2
“Night of a thousand conversations” (1:00 pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (chirla.org) is sponsoring conversations about the violations of human rights and discrimination against undocumented immigrants in the United States.
Facebook event page: here.

Saturday, October 4
Sarah Palin Protest in Carson, CA (2:00pm)
Home Depot Center
ADT Tennis Stadium
18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson, CA (Map)
However, the doors open at 11am, in case anyone's inclined to start showing up at that time.
Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/ci_10565747
If you would like to carpool please email us at force4change@yahoo.com!

Next Week…

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
SEX POSITIVE WEEK
Information here: http://sexpositivecsulb.blogspot.com
Facebook event page here: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=18784789234
If you would like to help/volunteer for Sex Positive Week, please email us the times that you would like to volunteer on Oct. 6, 7 & 8! force4change@yahoo.com

Mondays (October 6, 13, 20, 27), 4-7pm
Rape Agression Defense (R.A.D.): Women’s Self-Defense
To sign up, email your name and contact info to Corporal Ami Rzasa, University Police at arzasa@csulb.edu or call 562-985-8538. One time registration fee of $10 (due on the first day of class).
Flier: here.

Thursday, October 9
NCOD Community Resource Fair (11:30am-1:30pm)
The National Coming Out Day community resource fair is scheduled from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Organizations are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 a.m. to set up their tables. One table and two chairs per organization are provided, unless additional chairs are requested. There will also be a student open mic session during this time for students to share Coming Out stories or experiences as LGBT or heterosexual ally individuals.
We need volunteers for the FORCE table!
FORCE Table volunteers: Wandie (12:30-1:30pm), Mariana (12:45-1:30pm), Nicoal (12:15-1:30pm)

Tuesday, October 14
Record Swap! (12pm-3pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
Bring your records, books, zines, VHS, etc…
Clear some space, get some free stuff!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
Flier: here.

Thursday, October 16 – 6:00pm
Iron Jawed Angels Film Screening and Voter Registration (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Friday, October 17 – 7:00pm
Hip Hop:Beyond Beats and Rhymes Film Screening + Q&A with Dr. Shirra Tarrant (WSSA)
Facebook event page: here.

Saturday, October 18
“Casualties of War” Art Show Ends
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit is on-going until October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force@force4change.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

November 18 and 19
Practicing Peace (Center for Peace and Social Justice - CPSJ)
A campus-wide program with information tables, poetry reading, music and numerous other activities. More information to come!

Other campus postings…

--- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center along with other student organizations and on-campus collaborators are hosting the annual National Coming Out Week event during the week of Oct. 6.

The purpose of National Coming Out Week (NCOW) is to provide awareness and education on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. NCOW will be a four day event providing the campus community with various workshops ranging from sex health education to experiences as LGBT individuals on the CSULB campus. NCOW will conclude with a resource fair providing the campus community with LGBT-focused and LGBT-friendly organizations, both on-campus and off-campus. The concluding resource fair will also include an open-mic session providing students the opportunity to voice their experiences as LGBT persons or as allies to the LGBT community.
Volunteers are needed for NCOW. See below for the details.
If you’d like to volunteer, please e-mail us back at lgbtrc@csulb.edu with what you’d like to volunteer for.
If you are unavailable to these specific times, please help us get the word out and forward this email anyone you think may be interested.

Thursday, 09 October 2008 @ Friendship Walk:
"National Coming Out Day, On/Off-campus LGBT Organization Fair, Open-Mic session"
Set Up & Decorations
10 AM-11:30AM 10 Volunteers Needed
Hospitality
11 AM – 12 PM 4 Volunteers Needed
Tabling:
11 AM – 12PM 2 Volunteers Needed
12 PM – 1 PM 2 Volunteers Needed
1 PM – 2 PM 2 Volunteers Needed
Take Down / Clean Up:
1:30 PM – 2:30PM 10 Volunteers Needed

Update on Palin Protest [EDIT: 9-27-08]

2008-09-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

From Indymedia:

Protest Against Palin in Costa Mesa

Protest Against Palin in Costa Mesa
by jen wahlberg Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2008 at 10:45 PM

Protest against Sarah Palin and everything she stands for as she attends a fundraiser in Costa Mesa (Orange County) on October 4, 2008.

Are you pro choice, pro separation of church and state, pro environmental protection, pro GLBT rights, against animal cruelty and the war?

And, most of all, are you against the abomination that the Palin VP pick is?

Come rally against Palin as she is having drinks and collecting millions of dollars for the Republican ticket. Bring rally signs, posters and lots of friends.

Location:
Segerstrom Concert Hall
Orange County Performing Arts Center
615 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Home Depot Center
ADT Tennis Stadium
18400 Avalon Blvd.
Carson, CA

Date: October 4, 2008 (Saturday)

Time: ~~3:30-6:30pm~~2:00pm
doors open at 11:00am

* Parking:
Carpooling encouraged. There is paid parking near the OC Performing Arts Center. If you park at South Coast Plaza without paying, please be aware that you may be cited or towed by CM police.

Newsletter 09/20/08

2008-09-20T15:52:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter September 20, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

This past week…

Monday, September 15 FORCE meeting
- We are still working on securing food donations (from local businesses for Sex Positive Week.
- Lots of people are attending our meetings, and we are so thrilled!

Wednesday, September 17 Record Swap
- The record swap was a huge success! It was a lot of fun and we plan to have more in October and November.
- Pictures from the record swap HERE!

The week of September 22, 2008…

Monday, September 22
Get Out Her Vote and Vote NO on Props 4 & 8 Training (2:00 pm)
Women’s Resource Center, LA 3- 105
To Protect Choice and Equality on November 4th! As you may know, Propositions 4 & 8 are two dangerous ballot initiatives that if passed, would change the California constitution to take away rights from Californians. Prop 4 seeks to take away young women’s right to access safe, legal and confidential abortion, and Prop 8 seeks to take away the basic civil right of same gender couples to marry. Find out what you can do to make sure young people are registered to vote and are voting NO on Props 4 & 8 this Nov. 4th.
Contact Allie McDonald: amcdonald@feminist.org or call 310-556-2500 to get involved in the fight for choice and equality!

Join the OUTlist 2008 for National Coming Out Day!!
http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/students/sld/student_resource_centers/lgbtc/outlist
There's a new way to celebrate you. whether you identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, fluid, transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, intersex, queer,
questioning - or a heterosexual ally of an LGBT friend or family member! To recognize you and other LGBT/ally individuals at Cal State Long Beach, the LGBT Resource Center is taking out an ad in the campus newspapers on Thursday, October 9, 2008 featuring OUTlist 2008. This list is a way for CSULB students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends to come out as LGBT or heterosexual allies of LGBT individuals, should they choose to do so. This is our way of honoring out and proud LGBT individuals and their allies in the CSULB community.
The submission deadline is September 24, 2008.

Wednesday, September 24
“Night of a thousand conversations” (1:00 pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (chirla.org) is sponsoring conversations about the violations of human rights and discrimination against undocumented immigrants in the United States.

CANCELLED/POSTPONED: Sarah Palin in OC Protest
Here is the latest update concerning Sarah Palin coming to O. C.
Palin's fundraiser has changed locations twice due to overwhelming
demand for her tickets and lack of space twice in each location.
Palin's camp has rescheduled her fundraiser to October 4&5 to a
location to be named. Her fundraiser will be October 4 and her rally
will be October 5.
We will send out a flyer as soon as we have a location with all the statistics.
Please be flexible and adaptable as we know Palin's camp themselves
are trying to work out their logistics. Don't let their shenanigans
discourage you.

Thursday, September 25 – Sunday, September 28
All Roads Film Festival
Los Angeles, CA
This year’s All Roads Film Project showcases another remarkable selection of stories from indigenous and underrepresented minority cultures around the world. The 5th Annual All Roads Film Festival is a continuation of what started in 2004 – a celebration of diverse cultural perspectives through international film screenings (including the LA Premiere of Lebanese filmmaker Philip Aractingi’s UNDER THE BOMBS) as well as a photography exhibition, a music concert (Somali hip-hop artist K’NAAN) and ample opportunities for networking and cultural exchange. An asterisk * signifies an All Roads Seed Grantee. For more details go to www.nationalgeographic.com/allroads
Events include… All Roads Photography Exhibit; live music; and film screenings of Under the Bombs, Hawaikii, A Sketch of Wathone, Welcome to Enurmino!, Sikumi (On Ice), White Mountain, Guarding the Family Silver, and more…
View the complete schedule and buy tickets HERE.

Saturday, September 27
“Casualties of War” Art Show Artist Reception (6-9pm)
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit will be on-going from September 16 - October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

Later this month and in October…

Tuesday, September 30 – 7:30 PM
FREE FILM SCREENING of Chicago 10!
The Egyptian Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
CHICAGO 10, 2007, Roadside Attractions, 110 min. Mixing animation with archival footage and using the voices of Nick Nolte, Roy Scheider, Hank Azaria, Mark Ruffalo and others, director Brett Morgen explores the build-up to and unraveling the 1968 Chicago Conspiracy Trial. A parable of hope, courage and challenge as it portrays the struggle of young Americans speaking out and taking a stand in the face of an oppressive and armed government. Free admission!
Information HERE.

Zine entries due for The Sex Positive Zine on October 4th!!!
Send all submissions to theragzine@gmail.com
You are welcome to submit poetry, drawings, articles, anything that you think would look awesome in our zine!
And if you don’t know what a zine is…
A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced [ziːn], "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation, non-commercial publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.
Flier: here.

Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
Sex Positive Week
Information here: http://sexpositivecsulb.blogspot.com
Facebook event page here: http://www.new.facebook.com/event.php?eid=18784789234
If you would like to help/volunteer for Sex Positive Week, please email us! One big way to help out is to spread the word. Send the link to your friends and tell people in your classes! If you think your professor will offer extra credit to attend, please let us know and we will email him/her.

Mondays (October 6, 13, 20, 27), 4-7pm
Rape Agression Defense (R.A.D.): Women’s Self-Defense
To sign up, email your name and contact info to Corporal Ami Rzasa, University Police at arzasa@csulb.edu or call 562-985-8538. One time registration fee of $10 (due on the first day of class).
Flier: here.

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force@force4change.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

Other campus postings…

--- The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center along with other student organizations and on-campus collaborators are hosting the annual National Coming Out Week event during the week of Oct. 6.

The purpose of National Coming Out Week (NCOW) is to provide awareness and education on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues. NCOW will be a four day event providing the campus community with various workshops ranging from sex health education to experiences as LGBT individuals on the CSULB campus. NCOW will conclude with a resource fair providing the campus community with LGBT-focused and LGBT-friendly organizations, both on-campus and off-campus. The concluding resource fair will also include an open-mic session providing students the opportunity to voice their experiences as LGBT persons or as allies to the LGBT community.
Volunteers are needed before, during, and after the events for NCOW.
See below for the details.
If you’d like to volunteer, please e-mail us back at lgbtrc@csulb.edu with what you’d like to volunteer for.
If you are unavailable to these specific times, please help us get the word out and forward this email anyone you think may be interested.

Monday, 06 October 2008 @ USU 205:
"Safe and Sexy: Negotiating Healthy Sexual Relationships"
Set Up
10:30AM-11:30AM 4 Volunteers Needed
Tabling
11 AM – 12 PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
12 PM – 1PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
1PM – 2PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
Take Down/Clean Up
1:30pm – 2PM 4 Volunteers Needed

Tuesday, 07 October 2008 @ USU 205:
"Sexual Fluidity Panel"
Set Up
10:30AM-11:30AM 4 Volunteers Needed
Tabling
11 AM – 12 PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
12 PM – 1PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
1PM – 2PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
Take Down/Clean Up
1:30pm – 2PM 4 Volunteers Needed

Wednesday, 08 October 2008 @ USU 205:
"LGBT Faculty/Staff Panel"
Set Up
10:30AM-11:30AM 4 Volunteers Needed
Tabling
11 AM – 12 PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
12 PM – 1PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
1PM – 2PM 1-2 Volunteers Needed
Take Down/Clean Up
1:30pm – 2PM 4 Volunteers Needed

Thursday, 09 October 2008 @ Friendship Walk:
"National Coming Out Day, On/Off-campus LGBT Organization Fair, Open-Mic session"
Set Up & Decorations
10 AM-11:30AM 10 Volunteers Needed
Hospitality:
11 AM – 12 PM 4 Volunteers Needed
Tabling:
11 AM – 12PM 2 Volunteers Needed
12 PM – 1 PM 2 Volunteers Needed
1 PM – 2 PM 2 Volunteers Needed
Take Down / Clean Up:
1:30 PM – 2:30PM 10 Volunteers Needed

--- My name is Erica Allen and we at Moore 4 More Tutoring Services are looking for bright, intelligent, reliable students who would like to make some extra money by tutoring. You could earn $14 to $40 per hour. We are currently accepting candidates in all subjects. To get more information or request an application email moore4more@gmail.com or call (310)956-5540.

Record Swap Report

2008-09-18T20:37:00.001-07:00

We held our first record swap of the fall semester yesterday and we were enthralled by the turnout.

We had plenty of boxes:
,

plenty of literature:
,

and plenty of people:
.

Make sure to keep an eye out for flyers and announcements for the next one!

Sex Positive Week Update

2008-09-18T20:31:00.000-07:00

So we've finally gotten the design for the flyers for Sex Positive Week! They're beautiful!

Design by Linda Russom. She is truly and entirely amazing.

Don't forget to check http://sexpositivecsulb.blogspot.com for the most recently updated calendar and information on Sex Positive Week events. :)

Newsletter 09/13/08

2008-09-14T20:06:00.000-07:00

F.O.R.C.E. Newsletter September 13, 2008

F.O.R.C.E. Meetings
Mondays, 1-2pm in the Women’s Resource Center (WRC)

This past week…

Monday, September 8 was the first FORCE meeting of the semester
- We discussed the Fall 2008 tentative calendar of events.
- We pick volunteers for Week of Welcome & Smorgasport tabling

Wednesday and Thursday, September 10 & 11 FORCE had a table at Week of Welcome
- We met many new people! We’re excited about all of the potential new members for this semester.
-
Friday, September 12 FORCE had a table at Smorgasport from 8pm-12am

Saturday, September 13 FORCE members attended “T3: Timeout for Teambuilding and Training”

The week of September 15, 2008…

Wednesday, September 17
Record Swap! (11am-2pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
Bring your records, books, zines, VHS, etc…
Clear some space, get some free stuff!
There will be no selling of items. If you do not bring anything to the swap, please take no more than 2 items.
Flier: here.

Wednesday, September 17
Feminist Magazine & WSSA host a 2 hr. live broadcase about their feminist take on the presidential election (7-9pm)
Multicultural Center

Thursday, September 18
Look Us in the Eye: The Old Women’s Project film screening presented by WSSA (6:30pm)
Multicultural Center

The week after that…

Monday, September 22
Get Out Her Vote and Vote NO on Props 4 & 8 Training (2:00 pm)
Women’s Resource Center, LA 3- 105
To Protect Choice and Equality on November 4th! As you may know, Propositions 4 & 8 are two dangerous ballot initiatives that if passed, would change the California constitution to take away rights from Californians. Prop 4 seeks to take away young women’s right to access safe, legal and confidential abortion, and Prop 8 seeks to take away the basic civil right of same gender couples to marry. Find out what you can do to make sure young people are registered to vote and are voting NO on Props 4 & 8 this Nov. 4th.
Contact Allie McDonald: amcdonald@feminist.org or call 310-556-2500 to get involved in the fight for choice and equality!

Join the OUTlist 2008 for National Coming Out Day!!
http://www.csulb.edu/divisions/students/sld/student_resource_centers/lgbtc/outlist
There's a new way to celebrate you. whether you identify as lesbian, gay,
bisexual, fluid, transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, intersex, queer,
questioning - or a heterosexual ally of an LGBT friend or family member! To recognize you and other LGBT/ally individuals at Cal State Long Beach, the LGBT Resource Center is taking out an ad in the campus newspapers on Thursday, October 9, 2008 featuring OUTlist 2008. This list is a way for CSULB students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends to come out as LGBT or heterosexual allies of LGBT individuals, should they choose to do so. This is our way of honoring out and proud LGBT individuals and their allies in the CSULB community.
The submission deadline is September 24, 2008.

Wednesday, September 24
“Night of a thousand conversations” (1:00 pm)
On the grass near the Fine Arts buildings, upper campus
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (chirla.org) is sponsoring conversations about the violations of human rights and discrimination against undocumented immigrants in the United States.

Thursday, September 25
Sarah Palin in OC Protest (Meet at 5:00 pm)
“She doesn’t speak for us! Join us in protest of her run for vice president”
at the Island Hotel 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92600 (Map)
For more info email wombwoman@aol.com
This protest is NOT sponsored by FORCE. We are simply passing on the information. FORCE members will be in attendance and will be setting up a carpool. If you would like to carpool, email force4change@yahoo.com
Flier: here.

Saturday, September 27
“Casualties of War” Art Show Artist Reception (6-9pm)
Picture This Gallery 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA 90808 (Map)
Exhibit will be on-going from September 16 - October 18.
A series of paintings with powerful messages.
Flier: here.

Later this month and in October…

Zine entries due for The Sex Positive Zine on October 4th!!!
Send all submissions to theragzine@gmail.com
You are welcome to submit poetry, drawings, articles, anything that you think would look awesome in our zine!
And if you don’t know what a zine is…
A zine (an abbreviation of the word fanzine, or magazine; pronounced [ziːn], "zeen") is most commonly a small circulation, non-commercial publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier on a variety of colored paper stock.
Flier: here.

Sex Positive Week
Monday, October 6 – Wednesday, October 8
Information HERE
Facebook event page HERE
If you would like to help/volunteer for Sex Positive Week, please email us! One big way to help out is to spread the word. Send the link to your friends and tell people in your classes! If you think your professor will offer extra credit to attend, please let us know and we will email him/her.

Saturday, October 25
Young Women’s Empowerment Conference
Senator Lowenthal hosts a one day conference/field trip for young women that targets high school juniors and seniors, (11th and 12th grade), and focuses on all aspects of their growth and development. Speakers/Workshop leaders will discuss current issues most relevant to young women and their development as leaders.
The purpose of this event is to give young women a forum to learn more about the issues confronting them in a comfortable venue with great speakers/role models. Common themes focused during workshops are: going and preparing for college, self esteem, setting and achieving goals, as well as avoiding teenage pregnancies and abusive relationships.
The Young Women’s Empowerment Conference needs volunteers! There will be about 300 girls at the conference, and volunteers are needed to introduce and meet the girls. There are other needs as well, please email FORCE at force@force4change.com or Stephanie Mejias at smejias@csulb.edu (include in the email, your name, Contact information, and t-shirt size).

Other campus postings…

My name is Erica Allen and we at Moore 4 More Tutoring Services are looking for bright, intelligent, reliable students who would like to make some extra money by tutoring. You could earn $14 to $40 per hour. We are currently accepting candidates in all subjects. To get more information or request an application email moore4more@gmail.com or call (310)956-5540.

FORCE Fall Update

2008-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

Hello FORCErs!

The new school year is upon us and we're getting ready for a new semester. Fresh classes, fresh faces, fresh events, and fresh freshness all around.

This semester, FORCE meetings will be held on Mondays 1-2pm in the Women's Resource Center (LA3 105). Don't be shy, tell a friend and come on down.

*
We've also updated some info on Sex-Positive week, which will be October 6, 7, & 8 this fall. Click here to see it.

*
We'll be taking entries for The Rag 'Zine all this month. The deadline is September 28th. Send us all your poems, essays, rants, doodles, critiques, drawings, photos, pictures, comic strips, and anything else you can think of that we can photocopy. e-mail your submissions to theragzine@gmail.com .

*
Meanwhile check out this video of Sex-Workers Outreach Project (S.W.O.P.-LA), who will be presenting on Wednesday, October 8th for Sex-Positive Week. :D

2008-07-28T19:09:00.000-07:00

For CSULB students:
CHERRY BUST-ED

Update: Apparently, the theme of the party has been changed. We can only hope that this means the nature of the party will change, as well. It is still very important that our campus community be a safe place. At least one victory was made in changing the name and theme of the party. Good job to WSSA for being at the front lines of this whole operation!

SEX POSITIVE WEEK 2008

2008-07-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=18784789234

SEX POSITIVE WEEK
California State University, Long Beach
Monday October 6, 2008 - Wednesday October 8, 2008

In a culture that promotes sexual ignorance, it becomes increasingly important to be sex positive. Being sex positive means encouraging and normalizing open sexuality, in all its forms, and being receptive to new ideas. The United States has spent over $1.5 billion on abstinence-only sex education in an effort to keep teens from having sex. What this has done, instead, is further perpetuate the sexual ignorance.

During Sex Positive Week, there will be panel-led discussions about the connections between sexuality, freedom, religion, the environment, health and politics. This will be an opportunity for students and sex positive professionals to have an open discussion free of judgment. Throughout the week, students will be able to submit questions for panel discussions anonymously, if they wish to do so.

For any progressive, sex positive individuals and organizations who would like to be involved in Sex Positive Week, please email us at theragzine@gmail.com

The Riordian Fellows Program

2008-07-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Riordan Fellows Program

We are excited to announce that we are currently accepting applications for the 2008-2009 Riordan Fellows program year.

The Riordan Fellows Program is a pioneering career-based outreach program that motivates young professionals and college students from diverse backgrounds and under-served communities, to consider and prepare for careers in management through education, mentorship and professional development. Its core purpose is to educate, prepare, and motivate these individuals to competitively apply and succeed in a top MBA program and a career in management.

Fellows attend eight monthly Saturday sessions that provide education, mentorship and guidance as they prepare to successfully enter top graduate programs and careers in management through access to a variety of activities and services.

Please note that the deadline to apply for this program year is: First Round: May 28, 2008 andSecond Round: July 23, 2008.

For more information on the program or how to apply, please visit our website at http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x2326.xml.

Best,The Riordan Programs Staff

The Riordan Programs

110 Westwood Plaza,

Cornell HallSuite D304a, Box 951481

Los Angeles, CA 90095

Tel. (310)206-3596

Fax. (310)267-0165

www.anderson.ucla.edu/riordan.xml

OUTFEST 2008

2008-07-02T10:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.outfest.org/

Protecting Our Past. Showcasing Our Present. Nurturing Our Future.

Outfest is the leading organization showcasing, nurturing and preserving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender film images and artistry. For 25 years Outfest has led the charge, spotlighting emerging talent, creating community between filmmakers and audiences and offering a world-class forum for stories that reflect and often transform LGBT lives.

Since its founding in 1982, Outfest has showcased over 4,200 films for audiences well over half a million people. Our festivals, year-round screening series and special events bring together film lovers, innovative artists, celebrities, entertainment industry professionals … and some of the hottest parties around!

Outfest is also the only nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that the extensive but threatened LGBT film heritage is preserved. Since the beginning of the struggle for LGBT equality, visionary filmmakers have recorded their lives, challenges and triumphs on film. Outfest is committed to saving, preserving and providing access to that precious, affirming heritage for generations to come.

Here is the film guide for OUTFEST 2008:
http://www.outfest.org/tixSYS/2008/filmguide/title-detail.php

We encourage anyone and everyone to go as Outfest is an amazing film festival which does so much for the LGBT community, the film community, and Los Angeles.

...and also because it's just fun and awesome like that.

Sexist coverage of Hillary Clinton's Campaign

2008-06-19T17:41:00.000-07:00

I know, it's summer, I know, most of you want to stay inside at your computer in your air-conditioned homes to watch this video. Daily Show, always good stuff.

In other news, we've also got some great campaigns in the works for the fall and late summer. We'll keep you posted. ;]

California’s Historic Marriage Case

2008-05-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

[copied and pasted from: Equality California]

"A Victory for Marriage
Same-gender Couples Win Freedom to Marry

* Read the Supreme Court's decision.
* Read the press release
* Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released the following statement today regarding the state Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage:

“I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”

Celebration of Love and Family

Today, the California Supreme Court will rule on the California marriage case, calling on the state to end its ban on marriage for same-gender couples. Join plaintiffs, community leaders and LGBT families for a community gathering in response to this historic decision which will forever alter the course of our fight for equality.

Events are planned in cities across the state."

We're in the 49er!

2008-05-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

April 29, 2008:
Survivors of sexual abuse share their experiences
Clothesline Project calls attention to survivors of sexual violence and rape victims.

May 1, 2008:
Worldwide rally against violence and sexual assault localized by CSULB feminist organization
F.O.R.C.E. encourages both sexes to get involved on campus in the annual protest against sexual harassment and abuse.

May 5, 2008:
Community stands united against sex crimes
Marchers amassed on Maxson Plaza to take a stand against sexual violence toward women.

Salt of the Earth Screening on Thurs., May 8th!

2008-05-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

The last meeting of the semester

2008-05-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

First of all, a great big heaping pile of thank yous to everyone who came out to Take Back the Night! You're all wonderful and we hope to see you again at our next events!

Visit the F.O.R.C.E. Flickr account for photos. :)

Here's some coverage on the event, done by the Daily 49er:
Community stands united against sex crimes - News

Also, a reminder, that the meeting this week will be the last meeting of the semester. We will discuss plans for events next semester, as well as deciding on new officers. It'll be at the usual time and the usual place: Thursday, 2:30-3:30pm in the Women's Resource Center (WRC), LA3-105. All newbies, oldies, and curious-ies (?) are invited to attend!

Take Back the Night!

2008-04-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

Clothesline Project/TBTN Volunteer Sign-Up!

2008-04-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

Yo,

We will be having the Clothesline Project display for Sexual Assault Awareness Week from Tuesday, April 29th through Thursday, May 1st. The display will be from 10am to 4pm, with set-up starting at 8am and take-down from 4pm to 5pm. Please sign-up to volunteer at the information tables and tents. If you are SACA-certified, please let me know so you can work at the shirt-making tents.

So please email me which days and times you are available to volunteer, with your name, preferred email address, and phone number.

Thanks,
Megan Adams
Co-chair, CSULB Clothesline Project

* In addition we need volunteers for Take Back the Night (you know you want to!). We need volunteers to help out with
- Contacting Faculty
- Making announcements in their classes
- Making banners
- Viral info re-posting online
- making signs in the WRC for TBTN [all of the materials are in the WRC]
- contacting your local businesses for food donations
- and much, much more!

e-mail us at: force4change@yahoo.com

Thanks!
-Mariana

Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality

Day Of Silence Volunteers Needed!

2008-04-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Spring Break, are well rested, and ready to fight the good fight for social justice!

Next week (April 14 - 17) is LGBT Diversity Week. Each day, there will be an event honoring the diversity within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community.

On Thursday, April 14, we will be recognizing Day of Silence, a nationally honored occasion in which campuses all over the country rally to end the harassing, bullying, and name-calling experienced by LGBT individuals. WE NEED MANY, MANY VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST WITH THE DAY OF SILENCE INFORMATION TABLE FROM 11:00 - 2:00 NEXT THURSDAY!!!!

Afterwards, from 1:30 - 2:30 I will be facilitating "Louder than Words: A Workshop on Performances of Gender and Privilege" in the USU Room 306. I would love for each one of you to come participate.

For more information on Day of Silence, please visit www.dayofsilence.org

Thanks so much for your support and participation,

Aunnie Ganier
alganier@yahoo.com

Program Co-coordinator
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center
California State University , Long Beach
University Student Union, Room 215
lgbtrc@csulb.edu
www.csulb.edu/centers/lgbtrc
562.985.4966

Lavender Graduation Celebration
May 10, 2008
Get involved! Email jspaffor@csulb.edu

Long Beach LGBT Pride Parade
May 18, 2008
Get involved! Email lgbtrc@csulb.edu

FORCE Meeting Minutes 3/20/08

2008-03-26T22:11:00.000-07:00

***** Reminder: There WILL be a meeting this Thursday at 2:30pm in the WRC *****

* Creating a sex-positive zine
- Email ideas ASAP to theragzine@gmail. com
- Final drafts due 4/10
- Put zine together during 4/17 meeting
- Ideas and topics: STI awareness, masturbation, sex toys, consensual sex, kinks & fetishes, sex drive, sex on your period, names for female masturbation, euphemisms for vulva/vagina, women-positive porn, orgasms, body image & sex

* Discussed concerns about men’s role in TBTN
- Need for clear, specific mission statements
- Guidelines in the program reminding that it is a woman-positive and women-centered space
- Conversations with men or other event about men’s role in Sexual Assault Awareness

* Why is Sexual Assault Awareness Month only FORCE & SACA’s responsibility? Include W/St dept, health center, LGBT center, etc.

And the updated committees list:
* Sexual Assault Awareness Week and Take Back the Night on April 29th, 30th and May 1st
- Please choose one or more of the following committees to work on. Even if you can’t make the regular FORCE meetings, there may be ways you can help the committees at other more convenient times.
- The Site, Program, and Clothesline Committees need the most help. Everyone will, of course, help with event publicity.
- Please email your contact info and which committee you would like to join to force4change@ yahoo.com so that next week the committees can start planning.

- 1) Site Committee – (Alicia & Tiffany & Priscilla)
--- Secure site for the rally (usually Brotman Hall fountain)
--- Arrange parking for visitors
--- Select a path and do a walk-through of the march, ensure that it is disabled accessible, and create a map for the program
--- Reserve podium, PA/AV equipment, chairs, etc.

--- Contact American Indian tribe about hosting the speak out at Puvungna and having the ceremonial fire

- 2) Program Committee – (Wandie & Aunnie & Mariana)
--- Decide what the program will include
--- Book speakers for the rally
--- Plan timetable for TBTN, considering that the march must start after dark
--- Compile the event program with history of TBTN, scheduled speakers, map of the path, chants, contact information for FORCE, SACA, etc.
--- Contact Disabled Student Services for translator
--- Possible post-Speakout feminist music (e.g. Angie Evans)
--- Contact local organizations for information tables
--- Request SACA-certified counselors for Speakout
--- Get vintage videos of TBTN to project during rally
--- Find MC

- 3) Fundraising Committee – (Desireé & Katie)
--- Create and propose budget based on anticipated expenses of subcommittees
--- Meet with SLD advisor
--- Apply for PCSW funding
--- Create buttons, shirts; gather TBTN slogan signs and additional literature, if necessary
--- Discuss gifts for speakers

- 4) Clothesline Project & Additional Events Committee
– (Megan & Priscilla)
--- Coordinate with Clothesline Project to cross-promote events
--- Plan additional event during Sexual Assault Awareness Week, particularly something concerning acquaintance/ date rape, men’s role in sexual assault prevention, etc. (e.g. “Voices of Men” performance, Interact performance, men’s pledge, “Can I Kiss You?” etc.)
--- Create budget and submit to fundraising committee

- 5) Publicity Committee – (Wandie, Jamila, Aunnie, Carrie J. & Tiffany)
--- Design, order/print, and distribute flyers and posters (must be SLD-approved) (Linda)
--- Contact school newspapers for promotion and event coverage
--- Contact professors through formal letter about promoting TBTN and Clothesline Project and possibly offering extra credit for student attendance (particularly Women’s Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Art)
--- Online promotion via MySpace, Facebook, blog, message board, email listserv, etc.

Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality

"Feminist Theologies: Heritage and Future" a Summer Forum

2008-03-19T19:56:00.000-07:00

"Feminist Theologies: Heritage and Future" a Summer Forum

The Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) and Feminist Studies in Religion, Inc. (FSR) are pleased to invite graduate students and junior faculty to apply for the first Summer Forum on Feminist Theologies in Washington, DC, June 15-20, 2008. This inaugural year will focus on "Making the Connections: Claiming Our Past—Envisioning Our Future Together." This residential program provides the space and opportunity to work with colleagues across generations, religions, racial/ethnic, and disciplinary lines creating new knowledge and deepening feminist scholarly collaboration. Distinguished scholars in the field, including Katie Geneva Cannon, Mary E. Hunt, Judith Plaskow, Kwok Pui-lan, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, and Deborah Whitehead have agreed to provide leadership for the entire week of lively discussions and creative debate in a communal atmosphere. The application deadline is April 1, 2008.

For more information, including the application form, please visit:
http://www.his.com/~mhunt/

Social & Multicultural Foundations of Education Film Night

2008-03-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

Come watch an interesting film. It's free and educational!

Dangerous Living: Coming Out in the Developing World is the first documentary to deeply explore the lives of gay and lesbian people in non-western cultures. Traveling to five different continents, we hear the heartbreaking and triumphant stories of gays and lesbians from Egypt, Honduras, Kenya, Thailand and elsewhere, where most occurrences of oppression receive no media coverage at all. By sharing the personal stories coming out of developing nations, Dangerous Living sheds light on an emerging global movement striving to end discrimination and violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.

Date: Wednesday, March 19th

Time: 7:00pm

Place: Academic Services Building Room 244 Please note: the Academic Services (AS) building is directly across from ED-1
go through the big glass doors and up the stairway).

Discussion Following Film

http://smf-csulb.blogspot.com/

Jennifer Lamkins
Assistant Professor
Educational Technology
EdPAC, College of Education
California State University Long Beach
(562)985-2014

"A childlike (wo)man is not a (wo)man whose development
has been arrested; on the contrary, (s)he is a (wo)man who
has given (her)self a chance of continuing to develop long
after most adults have muffled themselves in the cocoon of
middle aged habit and convention."

-- Aldous Huxley

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center
California State University, Long Beach
University Student Union, Room 215
lgbtrc@csulb.edu
www.csulb.edu/centers/lgbtrc
562.985.4966

Grad School Q&A

2008-03-11T10:42:00.001-07:00

GRAD SCHOOL Q&A ** GRAD SCHOOL Q&A ** GRAD SCHOOL Q&A

Claremont Graduate University recruiter Sojourner Abdullah will be on campus WEDS, March 12th, to meet with students to discuss graduate school.

March 12th
12:30-2:30PM
MHB, 3rd Floor Conference Room
(located left of the elevator)

CGU is a small, private graduate only institution, located in Claremont, California. It offers a Masters Degree in Applied Women's Studies. In addition, it has several Masters and Ph.D programs in related fields. Check out: www.cgu.edu/ sah

Even if you are not sure about graduate school or specifically interested in CGU, this is a great opportunity to have a one-on-one session with a grad student recruiter. Come join us!

Free LSAT Seminar and Pizza

2008-03-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

The Law Society invites any CSULB students interested in applying to law school to a Free LSAT Seminar. The seminar will discuss the law school admissions test, cover real sample questions, and demonstrate techniques to help you master this difficult exam. The LSAT is the single most important factor in law school admissions, so don't miss this free opportunity to learn more! (And eat pizza.) Thursday March 13, College of Business Administration (CBA) Room 125, 5:00 - 6:30 PM. For more information, contact the Law Society at: lawsociety@csulb. edu.

FORCE Meeting Minutes 3/6/08 and TBTN Info

2008-03-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

FORCE Meeting Minutes 3/6/08

* Wednesday, March 12th at 3:30pm at the Senate Chambers
LGBT ASI Secretary position proposal. Come show your support!! Contact Aunnie for more info

* Sexual Assault Awareness Week and Take Back the Night on April 29th, 30th and May 1st
- Please choose one or more of the following committees to work on. Even if you can't make the regular FORCE meetings, there may be ways you can help the committees at other more convenient times.
- The Site, Program, and Clothesline Committees need the most help. Everyone will, of course, help with event publicity.
- Please email your contact info and which committee you would like to join to force4change@yahoo.com so that next week the committees can start planning.

- 1) Site Committee – (Alicia & Tiffany)
--- Secure site for the rally (usually Brotman Hall fountain)
--- Arrange parking for visitors
--- Select a path and do a walk-through of the march, ensure that it is disabled accessible, and create a map for the program
--- Reserve podium, PA/AV equipment, chairs, etc.
--- Contact American Indian tribe about hosting the speak out at Puvungna and having the ceremonial fire

- 2) Program Committee – (Aunnie & Mariana)
--- Decide what the program will include
--- Book speakers for the rally
--- Plan timetable for TBTN, considering that the march must start after dark
--- Compile the event program with history of TBTN, scheduled speakers, map of the path, chants, contact information for FORCE, SACA, etc.
--- Contact Disabled Student Services for translator
--- Possible post-Speakout feminist music (e.g. Angie Evans)
--- Contact local organizations for information tables
--- Request SACA-certified counselors for Speakout
--- Get vintage videos of TBTN to project during rally

- 3) Fundraising Committee – (Desireé & Katie)
--- Create and propose budget based on anticipated expenses of subcommittees
--- Meet with SLD advisor
--- Create buttons, shirts; gather TBTN slogan signs and additional literature, if necessary
--- Discuss gifts for speakers

- 4) Clothesline Project & Additional Events Committee – (Megan)
--- Coordinate with Clothesline Project to cross-promote events
--- Plan additional event during Sexual Assault Awareness Week, particularly something concerning acquaintance/date rape, men's role in sexual assault prevention, etc. (e.g. "Voices of Men" performance, Interact performance, men's pledge, "Can I Kiss You?" etc.)
--- Create budget and submit to fundraising committee

- 5) Publicity Committee – (Wandie, Jamila, Aunnie, Carrie J. & Tiffany)
--- Design, order/print, and distribute flyers and posters (must be SLD-approved)
--- Contact school newspapers for promotion and event coverage
--- Contact professors through formal letter about promoting TBTN and Clothesline Project and possibly offering extra credit for student attendance (particularly Women's Studies, Psychology, Sociology, Art)
--- Online promotion via MySpace, Facebook, blog, message board, email listserv, etc.

* FYI: There WILL be a FORCE meeting on Thursday, March 27th (the week before Spring Break)

* Women's shelter benefit (not a FORCE event)
-- Sunday, March 30th from 5pm to 11pm.
DiPiazza's: 5205 East PCH
Long Beach, CA 90804
$10 at the door.
-- All proceeds benefit:
Women Shelter of Long Beach
Lydia's House
-- Bands/Acts that shall be playing:
Babs und Sheridan avec Marc,
Boris Smile,
Dietra Kruschev,
Family Tree
National Dear Park
Pink Moon.

Benefit Show!

2008-03-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

Benefit Show!
All proceeds benefit:
* Women Shelter of Long Beach
* Lydia's House

2008-02-25T04:56:00.000-08:00

FORCE Meeting Minutes: 2/21/08

2008-02-21T19:27:00.000-08:00

Introductions and overview of agenda

***Amy Lee confirmed for 2/28/08 at 3pm in WRC***
- Teach-in about natural products for women with samples and DivaCup raffle
- Flyer by Mariana

Reminder about Ludacris protest Saturday
- Article about protest in Daily 49er

Lynne mentions potential forum/discussion about women and multitasking and the problems with fragmentation of tasks

Dolores Huerta Day – activist with Cesar Chavez coming to speak
- Tuesday, April 15th

*Women and Careers Conference on Friday, March 14th from 9am-1:30pm at the Pointe
- Promotion of event with designing posters and putting up flyers
- www.csulb.edu/women-and-careers

Representation at the Majors Fair for Women’s Studies (contact Dr. Rojas)

*T-Shirt making party
-Details on the Myspace page.

*Sexual Assault Awareness Week and Take Back the Night on April 29th, 30th and May 1st
- Discuss last year’s event: likes/dislikes, areas for improvement, etc.
-- Disorganized march path, not disabled accessible
- Necessary committees
-- SLD/ASI – Request any funding; reserve sites; rent chairs
-- Rally program – Schedule speakers; podium; banners; gifts for speakers
-- Speakout – Contact tribe for Puvungna and fire; Angie Evans or other music
-- March details – Select path; prepare signs and chants; PA equipment
-- Other events – Workshops, film screenings; men’s pledge; Interact performance on hate and sexual violence
-- Clothesline Project

Next week’s meeting:
- Select committees and preliminary to-do list
- Amy Lee’s workshop at 3pm

How To Kill a Transperson

2008-02-21T19:18:00.001-08:00

How to kill a transperson

February 15th, 2008
By Ceridwen Troy
This article was written on Friday, Feb. 15, 2008.

On Saturday, Sanesha Stewart, a transwoman of color living in the Bronx, was murdered in her own apartment. She was 25 years old. Her accused killer, Steve McMillan, had known her for months, yet when he was arrested, he claimed to have been enraged to find out that she was what the media coverage called not really a woman. He stabbed her over and over again in the chest and throat. She tried to fight him off; there were defensive wounds found on her hands.

On Tuesday, eighth-grader Lawrence King was in a classroom in Oxnard, Calif. He was openly gay, and often came to school in gender-bending clothing, makeup, jewelry and shoes. According to another student, it was freaking the guys out. One of them shot Lawrence in the head. He was declared brain-dead on Wednesday.

It is easy to look at cases like this and think, how tragic. How random. How senseless.

But then, you forget how easy it is to kill a transgender person.

You forget that all across this nation, faith leaders of all stripes, men and women who claim to speak for God Himself, call us sinners, call us abominations, call us evil.

You forget that at best the media depicts us as something to be pitied, something that our families must be strong and overcome. At worst, they depict us as abnormal, exploiting our bodies for ratings, exploiting the publics fear of us for shock value.

You forget that on a good day, law enforcement agents are neglectful of us, and that far more frequently they join in our harassment. You forget the transwomen of color who are rounded up on suspicions of prostitution. You forget the beatings that go uninvestigated. You forget the molestation and rape we face when we are arrested.

You forget the medical establishment that drains our wallets for the therapy and hormones and surgeries they tell us we need. You forget the way we are then refused treatment when we are dying, dying of treatable diseases, dying of easily patched wounds.

You forget that, by the law of the land, it is legal in the majority of states to deny us employment, to deny us service, to deny us housing.

You forget the shelters and the rape crisis centers that will not allow us through their doors.

You forget that many of us do not even have family to turn to when we are at our most desperate.

You forget that the leaders of our own community have told us that it is not time for us to have rights, that it is not pragmatic for us to be considered worthy of the same respect as other human beings.

You forget that in our own circles, it is considered a negative thing to be too flamboyant. You forget the way our pride parades have been derided by our own community. You forget the scorn heaped upon drag queens by other gay men. You forget the fear to be seen in public with a friend who is considered too open, too queer.

You forget the way it seeps into the minds of transgender people, too. You forget the way a transsexual will shout that she is not a crossdresser, as if there were something wrong with that. You forget the catty names we call each other if we don't "pass".

You forget how many of us take our own lives every year.

You forget because the noise is always there, a constant drone in the background. Every newspaper piece that calls a transwoman he instead of she. Every talk show host who spends an hour talking about our genitals. Every childish taunt about looking like a tranny. Every transperson who talks about themselves as true transsexuals. Every activist and politician who tells us now is not the time.

You forget too, how easy it is to kill a person of color, with myths about gangstas and lies about immigrants. You forget how easy it is to kill a person living in poverty, cutting off her welfare because she is suuposedly being paid to breed. You forget how easy it is to kill a sex worker, with sex-shaming language, slinging about slurs like hooker and whore.

You forget the message hidden inside every single one of those statements.

You are less than I am. You are not worthy of the rights and respect that I am worthy of.

You are not human.

It is very easy to kill something that you do not see as human.

It is very easy to kill a transperson.

10th Annual Women & Careers Conference

2008-02-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

We have had a major change of venue for our

10th Annual Women & Careers Conference!

It’s at “The Pointe” in the Pyramid
Friday, March 14, 2008
9am-1:30pm

We have some amazing panelists including a film publicist (for the Dream Girls among others), a drug tester for the National Football League, the Director of Technology at CSU Fullerton , the Executive Chef (and restaurant owner) of Delius Restaurant in Long Beach … and more. The event includes lunch with our guests, a Q&A following lunch, opportunities to network with these amazing professional women, door prizes … and more!

We are developing an intensive marketing strategy to let students, staff, and faculty know about the event and we need your feedback about our ideas and your help in spreading the word.

We also have opportunities on the day of the event including being a table host, taking photos and several other tasks. Attached is a list of opportunities along those lines.

Also attached is a poster/flyer we are distributing

Thanks for reading this and we look forward to hearing from you – in the affirmative of course. :)

Hi all –

A volunteer opportunity awaits you at the fabulous
Women & Careers Conference!
9am – 1:30pm at The Pointe at the Pyramid

8:45am for registration, food and pre-conference networking ☺
March 14, 2008

If you would like to volunteer during the day …
to set-up and decorate tables: 7:45am
to assist with registration: 8:45 – 9:05am
(to collect surveys, distribute packets, seat attendees)

To be the host of a conference table
(welcome people to your table, and facilitate conversation and topical discussion during conference, collect closing letters ☺)

to host at the refreshment table 8:45-9:05am, 10:40-11am:
(monitor: refilling dishes, checking on food, coffee, napkins, etc)

to take photos of people at the conference: throughout the day
(including photo release forms so we can share the photos!)

to help “close-up shop” after the conference!

Contact the Women's Resource Center:
562/985-8576

Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you at the conference – for any period of time you can attend.

Critical Race Conference at UCLA

2008-02-17T22:31:00.000-08:00

Moderated by faculty members of CRS Program at UCLA,/"Race, Sexuality & the Law: Abercrombie, Imus & Beyond"/ will feature interdisciplinary academic panels exploring the role of law, culture, media and communities in shaping representations of race, gender and sexual orientation. Sponsored in conjunction with the Williams Institute, the nation's leading think tank on sexual orientation law and policy, the Symposium will foreground current events and questions including:

*·** *What are the connections between homoerotic and racially exclusionary images used by retailers, such as Abercrombie & Fitch, and prevailing conceptions of masculinity and beauty?

*·* How do employment laws permit, reproduce or challenge these exclusionary practices?

*·* How do media framings of controversies such as Don Imus' attack on the Rutgers' women's basketball team obscure the intersectional nature of discrimination against women of color?

*·* How do stereotypical representations of people of color and their sexuality in media and entertainment influence interracial interactions and opportunities in workplaces, universities and public spaces?

Launched in April 2007, the CRS Program Symposium is an annual event which brings together academics, practitioners, students and community members to examine leading research on racial justice in an interdisciplinary and intellectually rigorous forum.
The Symposium is free to the public and convenes over 300 people from law schools, ethnic studies and race-related research centers, graduate and undergraduate programs, law firms, legal services organizations and community-based social change agencies from across the country.

To register for this event, please go to
www.law.ucla. edu/home/ apps/crs/ register. aspx

*The mission of CRS at UCLA is to _think_ new ideas, _teach_ new scholars and_transform_ racial justice advocacy.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS by:
Dr. Dwight A. McBride
Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Professor of African-American Studies, English, and Gender & Women's Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago

COMMENTARY by:
Russell K. Robinson
Acting Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law

PANELISTS include:
Mary Ann Case
Arnold I. Shure Professor of Law, University of Chicago Law School

David L. Eng
Professor of English and Comparative Literature, Program in Asian American Studies, University of Pennsylvania

Cheryl I. Harris
Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law

Phillip A. Goff
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Penn State

Sonia Katyal
Associate Professor of Law, Fordham University School of Law

Mignon R. Moore
Assistant Professor of Sociology, UCLA

Dean Spade
Law Teaching Fellow, UCLA School of Law, Williams Institute

MODERATORS:
Devon W. Carbado
Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law

Kimberlé W. Crenshaw
Professor of Law, UCLA School of Law

Scholarship Opportunity, due March 17th, 2008

2008-02-17T21:23:00.000-08:00

CSULB's Women & Philanthropy is providing scholarship support for undergraduate students doing research or creative activity under the supervision of a faculty member. This is the third year this scholarship has been provided. In the past two years $40,000 has been awarded and students can apply for up to $4,000 for this scholarship. It is important for students to provide a budget that is specific on how their scholarship funds would be utilized.

Scholarships will be awarded at a reception on May 7, 2008 and students are expected to attend. Typically students will be using the 2008 summer to work on their project.

APPLICATIONS are due MARCH 17, 2008. Applications are available through the link provided below or on the CSULB website through the Division of Students Services/Center for Scholarship Information. Questions may be directed to Barbara Holden at ext 54126.

http://notesapp1.csulb.edu/StudentServices/ScholarshipData.nsf/b598e468aeff91d788256f0b0064a57f/0ba5b9b35c72999a88256f0e007e819d?OpenDocument

Ludicrous appearance of Ludacris

2008-02-13T00:59:00.000-08:00

7th Annual Latina Connection Conference

2008-02-12T00:35:00.000-08:00

CSULB Latina students are invited to participate in the 7th Annual Latina Connection Conference to be held on:

Friday, March 7, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

In the University Student Union (USU) Ballrooms.

The goal of this free conference is to help you succeed at CSULB and to graduate.

Come meet other Latina students, faculty and staff at CSULB.

To register and and learn more visit the Latina Connection Conference Website:
http://www.csulb.edu/~rosac/index.htm

F.O.R.C.E. Meeting Minutes 02/07/08

2008-02-10T19:25:00.000-08:00

Introductions – FORCE purpose, members, 49er reporters

Ludacris concert
Protest rumors
ASI irresponsible spending
Commentary in 49er

Consciousness- raising on 35th Roe v Wade Rally in
January, abortion in recent films, men’s rights
activists and abortion

Teach-in update
March 5th Friendship Walk booked, but not enough
members can commit time necessary to put on a large
event
Alternative:
Smaller monthly discussions in WRC after meeting
Invite a group/rep to lead talk, bring info, etc.
Which groups/topics?
When? Thursday 4pm once a month?

49er/Union Opinion Pieces
Members encouraged to provide a feminist voice to
counter the frequently idiotic opinion pieces featured
in the 49er and Union
Ideas: Valentine’s Day; Vagina Monologues; any
essay/artwork that would have gone in the zine

Clothesline Project - Valentine’s Day
T-shirt making tent only, no large display
Thur 2/14 10-3pm Friendship Walk
SACA-certified volunteers:
Priscilla
Any other volunteers to help set-up, take-down,
explain the purpose of the Project, etc.?

For next week’s meeting:
Planning the first teach-in discussion for beginning
of March
Semester goals – a few smaller events/workshops or
more focus on Sexual Assault Awareness Week and Take
Back the Night?

Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality

National Young Women's Leadership Conference

2008-02-07T19:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Feminist Activist,

The countdown has begun! One month from tomorrow the Feminist Majority Foundation will host its 2nd Annual National Young Women's Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.!

Feminists from around the country will gather for two full days to address crucial issues from our Get Out HER Vote campaign, to Birth Control Pricing, Exposing so-called Crisis Pregnancy Centers, and Global Reproductive Rights issues like the United States' deadly Global Gag Rule.

Throughout February, student leaders are demonstrating, hosting teach-ins, and circulating petitions as part of a nationwide build-up for our conference in March. Start hosting events and circulating FMF's global petition today, then join us the weekend of International Women's Day when we take this crucial message to our nation's leaders!

Student delegations from Los Angeles, CA, to Kenne, NH are making the trek to DC. Whether you come by the dozen or by yourself, you don't want to miss this one-of-a-kind conference in an historic election year. Register Today!

For women's equality to really be achieved, we need to ensure that all women are empowered. Your action and your voice count!

Spring Meeting Times

2008-01-29T19:38:00.000-08:00

Hello FORCErs,

By popular demand, the spring meetings will be held in the Women's Resource Center (LA3-105) on Thursdays 2:30-3:30pm, starting next week Feb. 7th. Rather than having a pre-meeting this Thursday night at Portfolio, Katie and I will do as much as we can to get things in order before our first FORCE meeting. We will then be discussing our goals for the semester, specifically our top priorities for getting the teach-in off the ground.

See you all next week!
Megan

Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality

Immigration Film Series in December

2007-11-29T19:36:00.000-08:00

CSULB Campus Progressives Collective

Presents

Immigration Film Series

in the Multicultural Center

Films include:

Wetback: The Undocumented Documentary

Milton and Nayo embark on the riskful journey North, leaving Nicaragua and their families. Their disadvantage is not having the legal documentation to travel. With much sacrafice, they go in search of the “American Dream.”

December 4^th, Tuesday

@ 7 p.m.

A Day Without a Mexican

This satire addresses questions such as: If illegal immigrants are such a problem in our country, what would happen if they all disappeared one day? Furthermore, what if all Latinos were to disappear? How would it affect our economy and personal lives?

December 11^th, Tuesday

@ 7 p.m.

Farmingville

In the Long Island suburb of Farmingville, hate-based attempted murder of two day laborers made headlines. This documentary blends the stories of day laborers and town residents, revealing how our national policies has created violence, racism, and fear.

December 12^th, Wednesday

@ 3 p.m.

For more information, contact: progressives-discussion@lists.riseup.net

Rally this Tuesday~!

2007-11-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

Transgender Awareness Week 2007

2007-11-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

Tuesday (11/13)
3pm at the LGBT Resource Center (FO4 #165)
Movie screening: "Ma Vie En Rose" (My Life in Pink) with
discussion to follow after the movie showing.
Hosted by the LGBT Artist Collective
LGBT Artist Collective will be showing the movie "Ma Vie
En Rose" (My Life in Pink) at the LGBT Resource Center at
3pm with discussion to follow after the movie.
 
Wednesday (11/14)
1:30pm - 2:30pm at the LGBT Resource Center (FO4 #165)
Transgender Awareness Workshop presented by Jeff Spafford.
Hosted by Delta Lambda Phi
 
Thursday (11/15)
5pm - 7pm
Transgender Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil
Location: Speaker's Platform/Friendship Walk.
Hosted by the LGBT Resource Center

For more information or if you are in need of special 
accommodations, please contact Matt Cabrera 
(562-985-4966).

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center
California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Office 4, Room 165
lgbtrc@csulb.edu
562.985.4585

FORCE Meeting Minutes 11/6/07

2007-11-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

-Wandie is in charge of organizing the new feminist words of the week
-members will take turns defining and posting feminist-oriented terminology on campus
-ideas for words may also be emailed or posted to the blog or message board

-Zine updates (theragzine@gmail.com)
-ideas due by email by Friday 11/9
-submissions due Tuesday 11/20
-for questions, email address above or contact Wandie, Desiree, or Mariana

-Spring fundraising idea
-use gallery to host exhibition of art by students and local artists
-either have FORCE art/craft table or accept donations at the door
-planning for end of February

-Teach-in on global women’s issues
-First week of December at Friendship Walk/Speaker’s Platform?
-Coalition with Campus Progressives, LGBT center, ethnic organizations, Multicultural Center, NOW
-Representatives from each organization will discuss various issues concerning women
-ex: FGM, femicide, Darfur, Juarez, gender in birth preference, rape as a weapon of war, honor killing, etc.
-Everyone needs to make contact with other organizations and take charge planning this event from start to finish

-Diane Hayashino from CaPS has expressed interest in working with FORCE so we can also plan workshops or facilitated consciousness-raising sessions

WOCA Summit!

2007-11-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday November 17, 1:00 PM - 6:00 P.M.
Cal Poly Pomona University Recital Hall.
3801 West Temple Ave
Pomona, CA 91768
Phone:(909) 869-7659
1:00 - 6:00 pm

Its a Saturday afternoon celebrating California NOW and the WOCA Summit with an array of women, students, NOW members and community leaders.

scale $15 - $30,
students free
Speakers, workshops, panels and World Cafe.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~

Women of Color & Allies Summit

The Southwest Region of the National Organization for Women is proud to host The Women of Color and Allies Summit. This coalition of California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah NOW is joining together to acknowledge and discuss critical issues that affect women of all colors and their social environments.

The WOCA Summit includes speakers, panels, workshops and a World Café Conversation. Guests will join with hosts and presenters in discussions to deepen understanding between all people of all colors and economic circumstances with a focus on social, political, economic, health, reproductive justice and equality. We hope that this afternoon of community will address issues of difference, discover common ground and result in an informed agenda of working together to further the cause of equality for women, men and families in our region, states and local communities.

WOCA TOPICS:

* Global EcoFeminism
* Empowering Women
* Eliminating Racism
* Environmental Justice
* Immigrant Rights
* Feminist Activism
* Domestic Violence
* Reproductive Rights

Ultimately we shall discuss the illusion of disparity, the commonality of diversity and the joy of unity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~

JUST A FEW OF OUR PRESENTERS:

Dorinda Moreno
Activist, author, director, founder of Hitec Aztec Communications, , Founder of Concilio Mujeres, Elders of 4 Colors 4 Directions, 'We Are The Ones That We Have Been Waiting For' Global campaign.

Linda M. Perkins
Associate University Professor & Director of Applied Women's Studies, Claremont Graduate University

Mitsuye Yamada
Poet, feminist, teacher, humanitarian. Founder of the Asian Pacific Women's Network, and her local chapter of Amnesty International.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~

Make your reservation today at http://www.canow.org/woca.php.

For information contact:

Christina Gonzalez, vpdiversity@canow.org
V.P. Diversity CA NOW,
Co-Chair WOCA
(619)961-5546

Heather Frederick, eloquent_blonde@hotmail.com
Co Chair WOCA
(619) 988-5934
Canow@Canow.org

Valerie Plame Wilson at the Carpenter Center

2007-11-01T15:42:00.000-07:00

Co-sponsored with the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Office of the President, the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Division of Student Services, the Division of Administration and Finance, the Division of University Relations and Development, the President's Commission on the Status of Women, Student Life and Development, Associated Students, Inc., the Department of Political Science, and the Women's Resource Center

Who: Valerie Plame Wilson
What: Lecture
When: Monday, November 5, 2007 @ 7:00pm
Where: CSULB Carpenter Center

Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, have served our country for over a combined 43 years. Valerie Plame joined the Central Intelligence Agency at the age of 22, and it has been widely reported that she worked undercover on several overseas assignments in areas related to counterterrorism and on counter-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

In July 2003, Ambassador Wilson spoke out against the Bush Administration’s false claim that Iraq had sought nuclear material in Africa, which had been a primary justification for going to war with Iraq . To punish and discredit Wilson and intimidate others who might come forward, senior Bush administration officials leaked to reporters the name of Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, and her classified CIA status – destroying her career and jeopardizing national security.

Following the leak, the CIA requested that the Justice Department conduct an investigation into whether the White House violated federal laws by revealing the identity of one of its undercover employees in retaliation against Ambassador Wilson. The Justice Department responded with the appointment of a special counsel, Patrick Fitzgerald. Evidence collected by Mr. Fitzgerald has shown that at least two Bush administration officials, Karl Rove and Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Jr., discussed Mrs. Wilson’s employment at the CIA with reporters. Last October, a grand jury indicted Mr. Libby, former Chief of Staff and assistant for National Security Affairs to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, on charges of obstruction of justice, perjury, and making false statements. (Taken from the Joseph and Valerie Wilson Legal Support Trust web site)

Minutemen Project Founder Jim Gilchrist Will Lecture at CSULB

2007-10-29T17:59:00.000-07:00

PRELIMINARY PRESS RELEASE

Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minuteman Project, will lecture and have an open panel on the "Costs of Illegal Immigration" at the Beach Auditorium, in the University Student Union at 12pm. Tuesday, November 13th, 2007. The lecture is co-sponsored by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute and Operation Generation.

Jim Gilchrist, established the Minuteman Project and supports the prevention of illegal immigration across the U.S.'s southern border. Gilchrist holds a B.A. in newspaper journalism, a B.S. in business administration, and an MBA in taxation. He is a former newspaper reporter and a retired California CPA (Certified Public Accountant). Gilchrist is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and recipient of the Purple Heart award for wounds sustained while serving with an infantry unit in Vietnam, 1967 - 1969. Gilchrist advocates increased border enforcement and apprehension of illegal immigrants.

###

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Jim Gilchrist, please call Jason Aula at (818) 602-6815 or email at jaula@csulb. edu. Also the CSU(Conservative Student Union) would like to extend an invite to two professors willing to debate with Jim Gilchrist.

Environmental Film Series

2007-10-27T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hey All,

It’s El, my Energy and the Environment professor is welcoming the student body to a film series focused on the environmental crises. A new film will be shown each Friday in ECS 105 and it’s completely free. I’m especially interested in Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers which will screen Friday, November 9th at 2:00pm.

* Friday, November 2 @ 2:00 pm A Crude Awakening: The Oil Crash (Basil Gilpe, 2006)

* Friday, November 9 @ 2:00 pm Iraq for Sale (Robert Greenwald, 2007)

* Friday, November 30 @ 2:00 pm The China Syndrome (Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, 1999)

* Friday, December 7 @ 2:00 pm The Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore, 2006)

* Friday, December 14 @ 2:00 pm Guns, Germ, and Steel (Jared Diamond, 2006)

Feminist Love,

-Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality

From the blog maintainer

2007-10-25T08:30:00.000-07:00

Halloo.

I do apologize for spacing out this last week. I totally forgot to check my inbox, and as a consequence, missed some of the events and e-mails being sent out to F.O.R.C.E..

I'm trying to catch up this week. ^^;;

If there's anything missing that you think should be here, feel free to message me on AIM: arrozc0nleche, or you could keep trying to e-mail me.

Enjoy your respective days!

-Mariana

Inga Muscio!

2007-10-25T08:03:00.000-07:00

Who: Inga Muscio
What: Feminism, Racism, and the Death of Democracy
When: October 30, 11-12:15
Where: Multicultural Center

More info to come. Please save the date and tell your students, friends, and
colleagues.

Inga Muscio is the author of Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil: My Life and
Times in a Racist, Imperialist Society and Cunt: A Declaration of Independence.

Muscio is an internationally recognized author and public speaker on the topics of feminism, environmentalism,
anti-racism, queer and trans politics — and how these are all intricately connected. Muscio also addresses how
cultural violence is related to racial,  sexual and family violence.

She is most recently an invited speaker at the 2007 Festival of Women Arts in Sarajevo, Bosnia. Muscio has
also appeared at Dartmouth, New Mexico State University, Drake University, Western Michigan University,
and other venues.

 - Feminist Organization Reclaiming Consciousness and Equality

Free movie this Thursday!

2007-10-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

Come to a Love Your Body Day screening of Real Women Have Curves! There will be snacks! Don't be shy, come to share your reactions to the film and other topics such as: body image, media, sexuality, and more!

What: Real Women Have Curves
Where: Los Alamitos Lounge
When: Thursday, October 18
Time: 8:00 pm

This is the story of Ana, a first generation Mexican-American teenager on the verge of becoming a woman. She lives in the predominately Latino community of East Los Angeles. Freshly graduated from high school, Ana receives a full scholarship to Columbia University. Her very traditional, old-world parents feel that now is the time for Ana to help provide for the family, not the time for college. Torn between her mainstream ambitions and her cultural heritage she agrees to work with her mother at her sister's downtown LA sewing factory. Over the summer she learns to admire the hardworking team of women who teach her solidarity and teamwork. Still at odds with what her mother expects of her, Ana realizes that leaving home to continue her education is essential to finding her place proudly in the world as an American and Chicana.
- from imdb

'Zine submissions needed!

2007-10-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

FORCE will be putting out another zine this semester and submissions of all kinds are welcome. We want feminist essays, artwork, and everything in between on all topics. If you would like to submit something then email theragzine@gmail.com or contact, Wandie, Desiree, or Mariana.

On an unrelated note, this Wednesday is Domestic Violence Awareness Day and there will be a Clothesline Project display from 9am-5pm so if you would like to volunteer please let us know what times you are available as soon as possible.

Thanks,
Megan Adams

Domestic Violence Awareness Day

2007-10-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hi all –

A quick reminder about CSULB’s

Domestic Violence Awareness Day

on Wednesday, October 17, 2007

from 10am-2pm

on the Southwest Terrace of the USU

and

The Clothesline Project

on lower campus near the PE building, Criminal Justice/Social Work, and Engineering

From 10am-2pm on the Southwest Terrace there will be

· Community and campus resource and information tables

· A “Pledge to end Domestic Violence” photo exhibit

· Beverages and snacks

· An ice cream vendor (Yum!)

At 11:45am ASI Women’s Commissioner Sarah Noone will introduce the Program Council’s noon concert with

Dafni

www.myspace.com/dafni

And at 1pm Sarah will introduce the program honoring survivors of domestic violence

and the people and agencies who support them, beginning with CSULB President Alexander

Special guests at this program include Assemblymember Betty Karnette,

Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster, and many other community members who can connect you with

ways to become involved and assist yourself and others.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the event, or in preparing for the event, please contact us at the WRC ASAP because Wednesday is almost here!

This program is a collaboration between the Women's Resource Center , Interval House, the Long Beach Sexual Assault Crisis Agency, University Police, Long Beach Police Department, Associated Students Inc, Program Council, and all the shelters and service providers in the Long Beach area.

F-Word Discussion on 10/09/07

2007-10-04T21:07:00.000-07:00

Hello FORCEers!

I just wanted to confirm with everyone that this Tuesday, October 9th we will be having an F-Word discussion!

"F-Word" is a facilitated discussion addressing issues surrounding feminism. We will be de-bunking myths about what a feminist is, what we talk about, what we want, ext. The current president of the Long Beach chapter of NOW (National Organization for Women), Yvonne Moore, has agreed to facilitate this discussion and I anticipate it to be very exciting.

One of the purposes of this event is to have it be in a public environment. We will be having the discussion on the grass in the Fine Arts Quad. There will be posted signs around the location with quotes, images, questions, ext to perk interest of students walking by so that they may want to sit down and join the conversation. As you all know, feminists have gotten a bad wrap on this campus due to the imagination of The Union, so this is one way to spread truth.

Again, the Info is

F-Word Discussion

Tuesday, October 9th

3:30-4:30

Fine Arts Quad, on the grass

Look for the signs and Yvonne Moore from NOW

Peace & Feminist Love,

Katie Sipes & Megan Adams

PS. IMPORTANT!! ---->
ANYONE who can swing by the WRC and pick up fliers to post around campus will be greatly appreciated in our hearts!!! We have bought some large construction paper to make the signs to post on the grass during the discussion and if you want to come by and make one, PLEASE DO!!! again, our hearts would melt for you. who dosn't want that?

xo

Light Up Our Nights: Student Rally October 4th

2007-10-02T01:22:00.000-07:00

Speak Out on Campus Security
Long Beach, CA – Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) will be hosting “Light Up Our Nights,” a rally and town hall meeting intended to create a safe setting for students and take a proactive stance on campus security issues.
“Light Up Our Nights” will be on Thursday, October 4, 2007 from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Speaker’s Platform by the University Bookstore.

“Light Up Our Nights” is an opportunity for students to address many of the concerns regarding campus security, such as the correlation between lack of street lights and the incidents and attacks on campus. ASI Public Defender Catherine Pittet, the organizer of the event, is adamant about raising awareness on students’ safety and believes that more lights would not just decrease predatory attacks but create visibility for bicyclists and pedestrians. “This is our campus,” Pittet said. “We are a community, and we want to be active in protecting each other.”

The rally will include a march, which starts in front of the University Bookstore, go up toward the University Library and down to east side of campus and conclude at the Speaker’s Platform. Speakers include 3 rd District Councilman Gary DeLong, Chief of Campus Police Jack Pearson and University President F. King Alexander.

As a response to the vehicle thefts and sexual assaults on campus, the 2006/2007 ASI Senate requested immediate installation of security cameras on campus in areas of high criminal activities, such as parking lots and structures; heightened campus security with the University Police Night Escort Program; and urged City of Long Beach for lighting installations in poorly lit areas on campus, primarily along Bellflower Boulevard between Seventh Street and Atherton Street, along Atherton Street between Bellflower Boulevard and Palo Verde Avenue and along Palo Verde Avenue between Atherton Street and State University Drive.

Campus Crime Alert!

2007-09-20T14:56:00.000-07:00

Dear Campus Community,

Last evening, an incident occurred on campus that should be brought to your attention.

At about 7:45 p.m., a female student was getting an item out of her car in Parking Lot 14C near the residence halls when a male suspect jumped out of a car and grabbed her by the arm. When she pulled away and made eye contact with the suspect, he let go of her, returned to the car and left the scene.

The female student immediately went to her residence hall and reported the incident to her R.A., who then contacted University Police. As soon as the report was called in, the determination was made to increase the number of police officers and CSOs on campus, and the Long Beach Police Department was notified. Additionally, information about the incident was provided to supervisors in the residence halls so that it could be shared with campus residents.

The suspect is described as a male of light skin tone in his mid-20s; between 5’5” and 6’ in height and of stocky build; with light-colored eyes and dark hair with a grown-out buzz cut; and with a mole on the right lower cheek and either acne or razor burn in the neck and chin area. The car in which he was a passenger is described as an early 1990s black Honda Civic.

If you have information helpful to this case, please call Detective John Leyva with the University Police at 562-985-4101.

While last evening’s incident ended quickly without injury to the victim, and even though Cal State Long Beach has an overall reputation for safety, it is important that we all remember to look out for our personal safety at all times.

Please, do not walk alone on campus. If you are alone in the evening, call for an escort at University Police or by using one of the Code Blue telephones on campus. Take a moment to program your cell phone with the number for University Police, 562-985-4101. If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, call that number. Stay focused and observant on everything and everyone around you.

By looking out for each other, as well as for ourselves, we can keep CSULB a safe campus for all of us.

Sincerely,

Jack Pearson
Chief of Police

http://daf.csulb.edu/offices/ppfm/police/bulletin/current.html

We need your help!

2007-09-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Hello FORCErs!

We need to know what your favorite feminist movies, books, magazines, CDs, graphic novels, recipes [you get the picture] are.

Wandie and I have decided to add a list of feminist media suggestions for anyone who wants to surround themselves with feminist love, or is simply new to F.O.R.C.E.. We've added some great stuff to an Amazon list in the form of a wishlist, but you by no means have to buy anything.

I'm also looking for any glossary words you'd like to add to the F.O.R.C.E. blog.

A link to the media list and glossary can be found on the right sidebar. However, if you want to add your genius contributions to the lists, simply go to http://forceclub.proboards57.com/

When you get there, go under F.O.R.C.E. news, and click on "Glossary words and media contributions".

...and while you're at the message board, make an account, and reply to other threads too. :D

Feminist love!

- Mariana & Wandie

OUTlist 2007!

2007-09-18T23:53:00.000-07:00

CELEBRATE NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY!
There’s a new way to celebrate you… whether you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, fluid, transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, intersex, queer, questioning – or a heterosexual ally of an LGBT friend or family member!

To recognize you and other LGBT/ally individuals at Cal State Long Beach, the LGBT Resource Center is taking out a full-page ad in the campus newspapers on Thursday, October 11, 2007 featuring OUTlist 2007. This list is a way for CSULB students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends to come out as LGBT or heterosexual allies of LGBT individuals, should they choose to do so. This is our way of honoring out and proud LGBT individuals and their allies in the CSULB community.

The full-page advertisement will include the following introduction to explain OUTlist 2007:

“We are students, professors, coworkers, roommates, teammates, alumni/ae, friends, and family, and we are just a few of the intelligent, creative, and supportive lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals—or allies of LGBT individuals—who are part of the diverse Cal State Long Beach community. We invite you to join us in celebrating National Coming Out Day.”

Following this statement will appear hundreds of names of LGBT or ally students, staff, faculty, and alumni/ae who have chosen to be on OUTlist 2007.

We totally get that not everyone feels comfortable coming out, especially in the school newspaper! So if OUTlist 2007 is not for you… no worries, just forward this email to someone else who may be interested and stay tuned for our other events.

For those of you who do want to be on OUTlist 2007 this year, know that your courage inspires other students.

JOIN OUTLIST 2007!
If you are a student, please send an email to lgbtrc@csulb.edu (or reply in this thread) with the following information:

• First Name:
• Last Name:
• Verification Phone #:
• Verification Email:
• Affiliation with CSULB (student, faculty, staff, alum,
or friend of the LGBTRC):
• Major/Department/Office:

If faculty, staff, and alumni/ae would like to join OUTList 2007 and are able, a donation of $5 to help offset
the cost of the full-page ad is appreciated. Online donations are accepted at https://karl.papubs.csulb.edu/giving/index.cfm. Be sure to designate the LGBT Resource Center as the recipient. Please remember to email your contact information separately so your name is included in OUTlist 2007.

The submission deadline is October 1, 2007.

SPREAD THE WORD!
In the spirit of other activist organizations, please send this email to 10 of your friends… even if you think they
are already on this email list.

Thanks for all your help in making OUTlist 2007 a success!

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center
California State University, Long Beach
Faculty Office 4, Room 165
lgbtrc@csulb.edu
562.985.4585

Sign up for OUTlist 2007!
Visit www.csulb.edu/centers/lgbtrc for more information.

Join us for the Fall Open House...
Thursday, September 20th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

F.O.R.C.E. Minutes 9/18/07

2007-09-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

Agenda

I. Reports

II. Old Business

_A. F Word Event

__1. Oct 2nd @ 3:30 PM

__2. Possible speakers

___a. Tarrant

___b. Musto

___c. Moore

___d. Abbott

II. New Business

_A. Coming Out Day

__1. Added names to list a. Published in Newspapers (49er and Union)

_B. FORCE Shirts/Banner/Pamphlet

__1. DIY Parties (later dates announced at meetings)

__2. Budget

___a. Katie and Megan to do paperwork

____i. Apply

____ii. Book-keeping skills, more accurate accounting on reimbursements

_C. Love Your Body Project

__1. Oct 18th a. Film Screening/Discussion @ 7 PM

___i. "Real Women have Curves"

___ii. Nicoal to ask about Uni. Theatre

___iii. Look for speaker iv. Permission (if outside) for projection

_D. Feminist Rag--Zine

__1. Academic vs. Fun? [who's to say academia isn't fun? ^^;;]

__2. Need more contributors

__3. Once a semester

__4. Conact Wandie or Desiree about submissions/help-out

_F. DIY Festival

__1. Nikki/Katie to table Sept 29th

___a. Earlier time (Katie to LA that night)

_G. Inga Musico

__1. Speaking Oct 23rd 11 AM -12:15 PM

III. Announcements

_A. DIY Festival Benefit show this Sat. (sept 22)

_B. DIY Festival Sept 29th (next weekend)

Thanks Nicoal!

D.I.Y. Festival in Santa Ana

2007-09-17T14:14:00.001-07:00

Everyone should come out to the D.I.Y. festival on the 29th. It promises to be an awesome learning and sharing experience, as well as an opportunity for anyone who wants to be more self-sufficient to meet other like-minded people.

F.O.R.C.E. will be there doing a workshop, alongside other amazing people who will teach you about self defense, D.I.Y. Crafts, Deep Earth/Radical Ecology, Food Not Bombs, and so much more!

FOR MORE info please visit
www.myspace.com/ocDIYfestival07

SPREAD THE WORD!

Changes to the FORCE group e-mail

2007-09-12T10:47:00.001-07:00

Hello FORCErs,

As you all know, having FORCE as an open email list has been problematic in terms of spam and messages unnecessarily sent to all 100+ members. For this reason, we have decided to change the group settings so that only the moderator can send emails to the entire list. If someone has an announcement or event or anything related to FORCE or feminism, please send it to force4change@ yahoo.com and after checking it for relevancy (i.e. making sure it is not spam) we will then forward it to the entire group. While we don't want it to seem as though we are policing the group messages, we want to ensure that people are not bothered unnecessarily to the point that they begin ignoring all FORCE emails.

So again, if you have something you would like the entire group to know about, send us an email and include your contact information if necessary and we will be sure to forward it as soon as possible. We are still working out the glitches but we will give this a try for a while and hopefully this will greatly improve the email system. Also, we will be maintaining the MySpace page, Facebook group, blog, and message board so you all pretty much have your choice of preferred form of communication.

Thanks for your patience as we try to make things as efficient as possible. And don't forget to stop by the FORCE meetings in the WRC Tuesdays 3:30-4:30pm.

Megan Adams & Katie Sipes
Force4change@ yahoo.com

The official meeting time!

2007-09-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

By popular demand, this fall semester FORCE will be meeting in the WRC on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to 4:30pm. Come to our first meeting next week to discuss Week of Welcome, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, revamping the email list, the zine, and lots more. If you are available to volunteer any time for tabling during Week of Welcome, which is next Monday through Thursday from 11am to 2pm, please email me directly or let Katie know in the WRC.

Thanks,
Megan Adams

Meeting Times

2007-09-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

**** this is originally from the yahoo groups email, so please respond that way! *****

Hello FORCE !

Welcome the a new year of FORCE :) Megan Adams and I (Katie Sipes) are Co-Chairing this year and are very excited about seeing you all again.

So it's time to decide when our meetings should be. I know it's hard to get everyone's schedule to match up and it's possible that not everyone will be able to attend these meetings, but we're going to do our best. Minutes of the meetings will be posted on the FORCE myspace page [and blog] every week (or just about!), and I work in the Women's Resource Center most of the time so if you miss something, just ask me!

The choices for the new meeting time for this semester are:
Mondays @ 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Tuesdays @ 3:30 - 4:30pm
Thursdays @ 3:30 - 4:30pm
Fridays@ 6:30pm - 7:30pm

We can only have one meeting time this semester, so please email me back by this Friday the 7th and let me know what works for you. We will pick the time that works for the most people.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all this year!

Katie Sipes
&
Megan Adams

F.O.R.C.E. is here!

2007-09-02T20:31:00.001-07:00

Hello FORCE Womyn!

It’s that time again! Time for million page articles, thousand page papers, no sleep, and too much caffeine. It’s also time for us feminist womyn to get together and make our mark in this movement.

I would like to have a meeting sometime in the first week of classes. This first meeting is for, but certainly not limited to, the womyn that will be serving as officers in this organization. We will be deciding a meeting time for the fall semester, as well as talking about Nicoal’s DIY festival, and Week of Welcome. I am in the WRC most of the time, excluding Tues/Thurs from 2pm on. Please let me know what a good time for you would be to meet this next week.

I also just want to put it out there that even though I am serving as Co-Chair of FORCE, I am determined to keep this group inclusive, non-hierarchical, and welcoming to all.

Take Care,

Katie Sipes

First post!

2007-08-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Good morning!

Today shall mark the debut of the new F.O.R.C.E. blog, allowing for questions and discussion not only by F.O.R.C.E. members, but anyone who would like to take a look at our recent events and ideas. The idea behind using blogspot is the ease of discussion on individual posts, while keeping the page up to date with the latest happenings. As the veteran F.O.R.C.E.rs know, the mailing list wasn't doing so hot, and was horribly inconvenient if you didn't have a yahoo mail account.

As of yet we're using a generic template, but I plan on getting to work on a new header and maybe customizing it a bit further than that.

Peace!